SERVPRO of South Nashville : Should I Run a Space Heater?

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Should I run a space heater?

South Nashville (www.SERVPROsouthnashville.com)

Space heaters can be effective tools for providing added warmth at home if you’re not wanting to turn on your heating system or don’t have access to one in your property. If you plan to use a space heater on your property, it’s critical that you follow basic precautions to ensure that it’s being used safely. Read on to learn more about the prevalence of space heater fire accidents in the U.S. and if running a space heater in your home is worth the risk.

Space Heater Home Fire Statistics

Space heaters are a wonderful way to keep warm when we are at home or even at work. But they don’t come without their risks of causing or contributing to fire and electrical hazards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tells us that space heaters account for 43% of U.S. home heating fires and 85% of associated deaths in the U.S. alone. For home fires in general, 20% of these fires occur between 8 p.m. and midnight and another 18% occur between midnight and 8 a.m.

Is Running a Space Heater in Your Home Worth the Risk?

Although the statistics on space heater fires is a very real threat that can be scary to consider, the reality is that more often than not, these accidents are all completely preventable. Here are our top 5 tips to follow to keep your home safe from a space heater disaster in the future:

1. Don’t leave the room while the space heater is on.
2. Position space heaters so that they are at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn such as paper, drapes and furniture.
3. Don’t leave the space heater on when you go to sleep.
4. Do not use space heaters for purposes other than providing supplemental heat (no cooking, drying clothing or thawing frozen pipes).
5. Make sure you have functional smoke alarms (that you test regularly) throughout your home and, especially, in bedrooms.

Although following these tips won’t put you 100% in the clear from a space heater fire, it will definitely allow you alleviate your tension while one is operating nearby.

What Happens If Your Space Heater Sparks?

As with any electrical component, there is always an apparent risk of a short circuit that could send up sparks and lead to fire damage. If this happens on your property, it’s best that you call the trustworthy team at SERVPRO South Nashville at (615) 331-0200 for an immediate solution. Our experienced team takes great care in restoring properties from recent fire damage and will work quickly and effectively to ensure that your fire damage cleanup and restoration runs smoothly.