by Ren Huff

Created on: December 13, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2008

Heating a home can be challenging for many people. Whether it is due to the home being large, drafty, or simply trying to lower the heat bill, sometimes a space heater is the best route to go. There are challenges to space heaters if they are not properly used by the homeowner. Below is a checklist to ensure safe use of a space heater to heat your home.

Before purchasing a space heater there are a few things you need to investigate in your home.

1. Locate the circuit breaker box and the breaker that sends power to the room you want to heat. Read how many amps the outlet is putting out. If it is under 20 amps it is not a good room to put a space heater in. After a few minutes of use it could cause a power surge and cut the power to every room connected to that breaker. If it is 20 amps or more then proceed to the next step.

2. Measure the room you wish to heat and write it down.

3. Are their hazards in the room that may warrant finding another way to heat it such as a cluttered room, the curtains or bed too close to the outlet you wish to use to power the space heater, the outlet being used by other electronics? If you find the room safe then proceed.

Now it is time to make your purchase. While shopping keep these things in mind.

1. The box will tell you what size room it will heat. Do not choose a space heater that heats a 20x20 square foot room if you are putting it in a 10x10 square foot room. Besides it being a waste of money, it is a fire hazard.

2. Do you have little children that will have access to the space heater? If so make sure you purchase one that has a screen on it. Otherwise toys may be put in it causing a fire. Also, get one that does not get hot on the outside of the heater causing burns to the child.

3. Does the space heater have a safety shut off if it gets knocked over or overheats? Avoid those that do not.

Here are a few more safety tips after your purchase.

1. After taking it out of the packaging make sure all plastic bags are taken off the space heater and no foam is hiding in crevices.

2. Put in a safe area in the room you wish to heat at least 5 feet from any clutter. It needs to be on the floor not on a dresser or table. Plug it directly into an outlet, not an extension cord, and monitor it for 10 minutes to make sure it works and does not cause a power surge. Using an extension cord for a space heater is a safety hazard.

3. Once you are certain it is working properly place it in an area that it cannot be tipped. Do not place it close to a bed, especially a child's bed. They could roll off and knock it over. Do not place it near a doorway.

Use proper cleaning and storage procedures.

1. Daily check the space heater to ensure no foreign objects are put into it or anything is within 5 feet of it.

2. The instruction manual tells how to properly clean it and how often to. Keep a log of when you clean it so as not to forget.

3. Safe storage is very important. When the cold season is over and you are ready to store it, put it back in the box you purchased it in. Then store it in an area that it can't be dropped or tipped over. Parts inside the unit can come loose if dropped and will be a fire hazard the next time it is used.

Do not assume that it will work just fine next season. Each time you bring it out of storage follow these same rules. Your goal is to heat a room, not use your home as a bonfire for the whole neighborhood. With proper use and care your home will be warm and fire hazard-free.

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