Firefighter Bill Kear says, "There are two things we are worried
about this winter: preventing both fires and carbon monoxide poisonings. " He added, " With the expected spike in
winter heating costs, we are worried that people will turn to alternative heating sources with disastrous results."
If you are going to try to take the chill out of your home without
turning on your main sources of heat, or if you want to add a little heat to the home when it is colder than usual, never
use your range to supplement heat in the home. Gas ranges burn natural gas and these can give off carbon monoxide. While electric
ranges are not a source of carbon monoxide, this would be an expensive source of heat and the surfaces can cause burns. If you need extra heat in your home, space heaters are designed for just that purpose. Here are some tips on the
safe selection and use of space heaters:
- Make sure the space heater has been tested to the
latest standards and is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- Make sure the heater has an automatic “tip-switch,” a cutoff device (now required) that turns off electric
or kerosene heaters if they tip over.
- Make sure it has a guard around the flame area or heating
element.
If you are choosing an electric space heater, keep in mind these important items:
- Place the heater on a level, hard, nonflammable surface; do not place on rugs or carpets,
near bedding or drapes, or on tables or countertops.
- Keep the heater at least 3 feet from bedding,
drapes, furniture or other flammable items.
- Turn the space heater off if you leave the area,
and never leave a space heater on while sleeping or if you leave home.
- Keep children and pets
away from space heaters.
- Do not use older space heaters or heaters with cords that are cracked
or frayed.
