The weather cools down in our area, but it’s usually for a short time. As a result, plenty of people have opted to use space heaters rather than a full furnace system to keep their Southern California homes cozy. Space heaters can help you avoid wasting energy and money on heating your whole home when you really only need to keep one room warm. They can also pose a serious fire hazard, though. If you’re planning to use a space heater this winter, use this safety guide to fire prevention. First, look for an electric space heater. These models are much safer than fuel-burning models. Also, look for a unit that has been labelled by an official testing laboratory (e.g. ETL, CSA, UL). When you choose this type of space heater, you ensure it’s met voluntary safety standards. You also want a space heater that will turn itself off before it poses a serious threat to your home. Specifically, you should choose a unit that will power down automatically if tipped over, if the grill is touched, if it starts to overheat, or if it detects low oxygen levels in the room. Set up your space heater at least three feet away from any flammable materials on a non-carpeted part of your floor. If you’re using a fuel-burning model, open a door or window to allow the room to ventilate. Also, never use your space heater to dry clothing. Finally, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they would alert you of a serious hazard! We hope this guide helps you protect your home against the risk of fires this fall and throughout the year! To offer your home even more protection, you should invest in a Long Beach or Los Angeles, CA homeowners insurance policy. To learn more about how this type of policy can protect you in the face of a fire, don’t hesitate to contact Fuller Insurance Agency.
