We have just arrived at the three coldest months of the year. If heating your home takes a little more help than just a furnace, there are some safety tips to take.

MidAmerican Energy Company serves natural gas customers in about 25 South Dakota communities including Sioux Falls. Media Relations Representative Ashton Newman has a few things to consider when using space heaters in your home.

 

  • 1

    Purchase a certified space heater.

    Buy a space heater certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. These heaters have been tested to ensure electrical components are working safely. In addition, look for a space heater with energy-saving features such as an automatic thermostat or shut-off timer.

  • 2

    Choose electric.

    Electric space heaters are the only unvented devices safe to use indoors. Unlike other unvented units, electric space heaters do not produce harmful gases, like carbon monoxide.

  • 3

    Have a vented space heater? Get it inspected.

    Vented space heaters, such as wood pellet stoves, can be used indoors. They are typically placed next to a wall with a vent going to the outside. Have these heating units inspected once a year because if the unit isn’t working properly, carbon monoxide can build up inside your home. Newman says not only the vent, but also all the working parts should be checked.

  • 4

    Do not leave it unattended.

    If you leave the room, turn off and unplug the space heater to avoid fire hazards. Also Newman advises when it’s getting toward bed time to turn off the heater. “If you’re on the couch or in bed watching TV, get up turn off and unplug the unit.”

  • 5

    Avoid power strips and extension cords.

    Do not connect your space heater to a power strip or extension cord. Space heaters get hot and can cause a power strip or extension cord to overheat, which could result in a fire.

  • 6

    Keep flammable materials at a safe distance.

    Make sure items that can catch fire, such as furniture, rugs, pillows, bedding, curtains and clothes, are at least three feet from the heater.

  • 7

    Make a kid- and pet-safe zone.

    Always keep children and pets at a safe distance from space heaters. According to Newman these units can sometimes be appealing to little ones. “You wouldn’t want a space heater to tip over at all especially onto a child or pet.”

  • 8

    Keep it on a level surface.

    Place the heater on a sturdy, level and nonflammable surface, such as a tile or wood floor. Space heaters with a tip-over safety switch automatically shut off when knocked over – a key feature if you have children or pets.

  • 9

    Never use propane space heaters indoors.

    Don’t use a portable propane space heater inside unless it’s specifically made for indoor use. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how and where to use your space heater.

  • 10

    Protect yourself with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

    As a precaution, ensure you have working smoke alarms on every floor and in every bedroom of your home. Check that batteries are working in all alarms. Additionally, install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to guard against carbon monoxide poisoning. Install the detector at the height indicated on the manufacturer’s instructions.

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