Space Heaters – The one thing you should never plug into a power cord
We’re all used to using space heaters whenever the temperatures get a bit down and we need to warm up. And there’s nothing wrong with using these devices, as long as we know how to properly use them. As the autumn season is already upon us, and the season of space heaters as well, firefighters warn people not to make one common mistakes and protect themselves properly. Their advice regarding these space heaters is to never plug them into a power cord.
Credits to: theheartysoul.com
It turns out that not too many people know that plugging a space heater into a power cord can be a fire hazard, so people are sharing this advice all over the social media.
The space heater can be a fire starter if plugged into a power cord
Fire departments all over the country are warning their residents how to stay safe and prevent a possible fire hazard. The Oregon fire department and the Toledo Fire Departments were among the first to issue similar statements, especially after a house in Ohio caught fire due to the improper use of a space heater. The device caused the couch to catch fire, and it quickly spread through the house, endangering the lives of everyone inside.
The fire departments issued a statement with the following tips regarding the use of space heaters:
- Always plug space heaters directly into a wall unit
- Make sure there’s always a minimum space of 3 feet around the space heater
- Don’t leave the space heater on while you’re sleeping
- The heater should always be placed on a flat surface, never on the carpet, tables or other furniture.
According to the Consumer product safety commission, portable space heaters are responsible for more than 1200 fires every year. The fire departments say that there’s nothing dangerous in the use of space heaters as long as people use them with caution and aren’t reckless about it.
Tips on how to prevent house fires and stay safe
Make sure all of your heat producing appliances are unplugged when you’re not using them.
This includes kettles, hairstyling tools, heaters and almost every device that produces heat when it’s plugged in and turned on. Even if these aren’t turned on, an electrical surge can cause it to catch on fire and put you in danger.
Extension cords are not for regular use
Extension cords shouldn’t be used at all times, they’re meant for temporary use. If you have a lack of power outlets, call an electrician to fix your problem and install additional ones.
Update your electrical system
People who live in older houses should consider updating their electrical system as older system are more likely to overheat and lead to a fire.
Follow the instructions when using any appliance
Every appliance has a leaflet inside where all the directions for its use are listed. They aren’t there just for informative purposes, every manual has a section regarding fire safety and we all need to read and remember the instructions if we want to protect ourselves.
