Electrical Safety—The Checklist : Portable Space Heaters

Before You Plug Into Electricity, Plug Into Electrical Safety—The Checklist

Portable Space Heaters

Portable space heaters can be a blessing in a cold and drafty house in the deep of winter. But space heaters, and any electrical product with a heating element, can demand a lot of power. By their nature, they also produce a lot of heat, and, if not used carefully, can become a fire hazard. Make sure to follow these safety principles with portable space heaters:

• Plug portable space heaters directly into an outlet; do not use an extension cord.
• Make certain the circuit into which you plug a space heater can adequately and safely handle the added demand.
• Never remove the grounding feature on a plug by clipping or grinding off the third prong.
• Use an adapter to connect the heater’s 3-prong plug, if you do not have a 3-hole outlet. Make sure the adapter ground wire or tab is attached to the outlet ground.
• Relocate heaters away from passageways and keep all flammable materials such as curtains, rugs, furniture or newspaper at least three feet away.
• Unplug and safely store portable space heaters when not in use.Plug portable space heaters directly into an outlet; do not use an extension cord.