HOUSTON – You never know what to expect from the weather in Southeast Texas, and when it gets cold, residents can be in such a rush to stay warm that they overlook certain risks if they’re not careful.
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Space heaters are especially great for keeping a room warm, but some people may not know how dangerous they can be. Over the years, dozens of fires have broken out in the Houston area because a space heater was left unattended; some have even had fatal consequences.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said about 1,700 home fires are caused by portable electric space heaters each year. Of that total, almost 80 people in these homes die as a result.
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Consumer Reports lists some tips people can do to prevent this, including:
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Place the heater on a hard, flat and non-flammable surface. These devices are intended to stand on the floor, not on a table.
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Ensure a child (and pet) free zone of 1 meter around the heater and never place a space heater in a child’s room.
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Keep the space heater at least 100 meters away from flammable materials, such as furniture, bedding and curtains. A larger heater may need to be located even further away.
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Do not use heaters in a workshop or garage near paint, gas cans or matches.
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Turn off the heater when you leave the room or go to bed.
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Unplug the heater when not in use by pulling the plug straight out of the socket. Check the cord regularly for damage and do not use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
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Do not connect any other electrical appliance or extension cord to the same electrical outlet as a heater; this can cause overheating.
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Install working smoke detectors on every floor of your home and in every bedroom and test them monthly.
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