Durham winters are fairly mild, but chilly mornings and cold snaps still make a portable heater useful in a home office, bedroom or basement. Used correctly, it's safe and efficient. Here's how.
Choose safety features
- Tip-over switch: shuts the heater off if it falls over.
- Overheat protection: turns it off before it gets too hot.
- Cool-touch casing: a good idea with children or pets at home.
- Certification: look for a UL, ETL or similar safety mark.
Keep three feet clear
Keep the heater at least three feet from anything that can burn, including curtains, bedding, sofas and paper, and set it on a hard, level floor.
Plug in safely
- Plug directly into a wall outlet; don't use an extension cord or power strip.
- Avoid sharing the outlet with other high-power appliances.
- Replace the heater if the cord or plug is damaged or feels hot.
Don't leave it running unattended
Turn the heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Timers and thermostats make this simple.
Keep alarms and a plan in place
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly. Keep a fire blanket near the kitchen and make sure everyone knows two ways out of the home.
Checklist
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Keep three feet of space | Dry clothes on it |
| Use a wall outlet | Use an extension cord |
| Switch off when you leave | Leave it on overnight |
| Test alarms monthly | Ignore a damaged cord |
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