Stay Warm, Keep Safe With Space Heaters

BERLIN — Residents looking to add a little extra warmth to their home with the winter season setting in may turn to space heaters. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 25,000 fires happen each year because of improper use of portable space heaters.

And while electric space heaters are convenient, they can be costly to operate.

Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) encourages consumers to understand the risks and costs of using these heating appliances.

“Space heaters are meant as a secondary source of heat and should be used sparingly in small, unheated areas for short periods of time,” said Jessica Brahaney Cain, director of customer solutions at CL&P. “Use space heaters as a temporary fix to a heating problem, never as a permanent solution.”

Leaving a space heater on for long periods of time can increase your monthly bill. A 1,500-watt electric space heater costs, on average, nearly $185 per month to operate if it runs 24 hours a day in your home or office. Always select a properly sized heater for the room you wish to heat and choose a heater that is thermostatically controlled, which will reduce the chance of overheating a room and wasting energy.

Portable electric space heaters manufactured after 1991 include many safety features, ranging from a tip-over switch that will turn the heater off until it is turned upright again, to indicator lights that let users know that the heater is plugged in or is turned on. Only use heaters that have been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL).

Look for the UL sticker on the portable heater. CL&P also reminds customers to:

*Keep at least three feet of open space around all portable heaters and away from combustible materials, including furniture, bedding, clothing, draperies, rugs, pets, and people.

*Never use a space heater to dry clothes, shoes, or gloves.

*Check the cord on your space heater; frayed or splitting cords should be professionally repaired. If during use the cord becomes very warm or hot, unplug the space heater immediately and try another outlet. If the cord continues to be hot, unplug the space heater and contact an electrician.

*Do not use space heaters with extension cords; plug the heaters directly into an outlet.

*Always place the heater on the floor, never on a chair, kitchen counter, table, or elevated surface.

*Place a strip of sheet metal between the heater and any wood, linoleum or tile floor as portable heaters can become extremely hot.

*Do not use space heaters in rooms where children are unsupervised and remember to turn off and unplug heaters when not in use, when you are out of the room and when you are asleep.

*Never use a gas stove, electric range, or a charcoal grill as a space heater.

*Unless the heater is designed for use outdoors or in bathrooms, do not use it in these areas. The moisture may damage parts and result in fire or electrical shock.

To learn more about energy conservation and electrical safety, visit www.cl-p.com, or visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov and Electrical Safety Foundation International at www.esfi.org.