Portable electric heaters

When you need a little bit of warmth in the house, you can choose to invest in simple portable electrical heaters. These are commonly used to supplement other heating methods that may be in use. Portable electric heaters are preferred because they can be moved from one point to another easily depending on where you would like to heat up. Despite their immense relevance in homes, these gadgets present a number of risks if they are not handled the right way. One major advantage of portable electric heaters over most oil burning devices is that they do not produce the poisonous carbon that has been blamed for multiple deaths. However, such heaters are known to cause fires, burns and even electrocution. This article outlines a few tips for your safety when using portable electric heaters.

Read instruction manual

All portable electrical heaters come with instruction manuals. Most buyers ignore the manufacturer’s operation guidelines which can be hazardous for them and everybody else around them. Always read through the instructions before connecting or using the portable electric heaters. Dealerships offer quick troubleshooting tips and even contact addresses in case you want help on the portable electric heaters. If you buy a product that does not include the operation manual, return it or ask for one immediately.

Unattended devices

It is dangerous to leave portable electric heaters unattended. If you expect to be away from the room for a long time, unplug them before leaving. They should also be unplugged when they are no longer being used. When there is a power blackout, unplug them or make sure all the socket switches are turned off before leaving the rooms.

Combustible items

Portable electric heaters must never be connected near easily combustible items like clothes, bedding, furniture, curtains or papers. All such items must be at least 3 feet away from the heater. All types of gases, fuel and fuel containers must also not be left lying near portable electric heaters.

Water

Water near any electricity bearing cable is a sure disaster waiting to happen any day. Keep all portable electrical heaters away from water or damp areas. Some special heaters are made for outdoor usage. This is clearly indicated at the point of sale. Unless you are sure that your model has outdoor usage ability, do not attempt to connect the portable electric heater outside.

Children and pets

Portable electric heaters should be connected and placed on surfaces that are not easily reachable by children. Touching the hot surfaces could result to serious burns. Playing with the connections could also be dangerous. Pets too must not be allowed to go near heaters. Portable electric heaters should never be placed on top of furniture as they could burn as well. The surface on which you place the portable electric heaters should be level and if an electric heater falls off an unstable surface, it can result in accidents or even get damaged. If you are planning to acquire portable electric heaters for use at home, these guidelines are a lifesaver.