Proper Use of Space Heaters to Avoid Fire in Your Millbrook Home

3/27/2017 (Permalink)

Caution Is Required with Space Heaters to Prevent Fires in Millbrook

Fire Damage to Millbrook Properties Require SERVPRO Assistance for Restoration

When the weather is cold, many people turn to space heaters to heat a room instead of heating the whole home. Portable and convenient, space heaters are popular small appliances to heat homes whenever the temperatures drop, but they can also pose a danger. These portable heaters are a potential source of fire if you do not use them properly.
 
Not being careful with space heaters can like lead to fire and fire damage in your Millbrook home. If this does happen to you, SERVPRO needs to come to your home to clean up and restore the damages. A professionally trained fire remediation company, we have your best interests in mind as we plan to restore the state of your home to its preloss condition. "Like it never even happened."
 
Selecting the Right Space Heater
You want a space heater which includes a heating element with a guard around it. Pick a heater that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and one that is the right size for the area you are trying to heat. The wrong size heater might not be an efficient use of energy. Make sure to also read and follow the operating instructions from the manufacturer, ensuring everyone who uses it knows how to use the heater safely and correctly. Check to see if the heater has an automatic safety switch, which acts as a cutoff switch that turns the heater off if it falls over.
 
Preventing a Fire
Put the heater on a surface which is hard, level, and stable. Do not place it on countertops, tables, or other furniture. Keep the heater three feet or more from files and other items which are combustible. Do not use the heaters in an area where water is present, such as a bathroom, and do not place items such as files, books, papers, or the like on top of the space heater.
 
The space heater needs to be plugged into an outlet directly. Do not use an extension cord, unless it is specifically approved and safe for such use. You should also not plug the space heater into a surge protector strip for your computer. These strips are made specifically for computer equipment, and other appliances being plugged into them can negate the warranty on your PC hardware. Keep the space heater off when you are leaving the area, and do not ever leave it on when not at home. Do not use the heaters with cords which are frayed or cracked, as this can easily spark a fire.
 
If a fire still starts even when you have followed these precautions, do not hesitate to get in touch with our professionals at SERVPRO once the fire is out. You need to act quickly so that the soot, smoke, and water left after the fire do not do even more damage to your home. The faster we can begin remediation, the better chance there is for salvaging items in your home and reducing repair and replacement costs.
 
SERVPRO of Prattville is available anytime you need fire damage restoration services. We are easy to reach when you dial (334) 358-1186.