How To Use Indoor Propane Space Heaters
Written on: January 25, 2022
Space Heater Safety Tips
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more home fires occur during the winter than any other season of the year. Heating is the second-leading cause of home fires, deaths, and injuries, and space heaters greatly contribute to this number. More than 80% of home heating fire fatalities involved stationary or portable space heaters.
As an example, a faulty electric space heater was determined to be the cause of a recent deadly apartment fire in New York.
If you need to use space heaters to add extra warmth to your home, we recommend choosing propane gas space heaters. They’ll heat faster than electric ones and in general, cost less to operate.
You also have a lot of choices when it comes to propane indoor heaters for your Georgia home. There are portable indoor propane heaters, wall-mounted propane indoor heaters, forced air propane indoor heaters, and radiant indoor propane heaters.
Indoor Propane Space Heater Safety Tips
The main point to remember is that when used properly, indoor propane heaters are very safe. Here’s a quick review to help to make sure you are using your propane indoor heaters safely:
- Choose a propane heater that’s the right size for your room or space, and carries the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label.
- Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions before using your propane indoor space heater.
- Your indoor propane heater should have features such as a low oxygen sensor, high-temperature coated safety guard on the front, overheat protection, and automatic shutoff if it tips over.
- Make sure your propane indoor space heater is installed on a non-combustible surface away from where people walk and that it is positioned safely away from combustible materials such as furniture, curtains, doors, bedding and towels. If you use a wall-mounted room heater, make sure your wall material is non-combustible.
- Never place anything on top of an indoor propane space heater.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or the space where you use your indoor propane space heater.
- Never leave an indoor propane heater unattended. Turn the heater off when you leave the room. And make sure your propane indoor space heater is turned off before you go to bed.
- If your propane indoor heater has a yellow or orange flame instead of a blue one, stop using it immediately because the gas is not burning properly. Contact your Georgia propane service provider or HVAC contractor to fix the problem.
- Use your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to carefully vacuum up any dust on the outside of the propane indoor space heater and on the grills.
- Never spray air fresheners, deodorants, aerosol spray cleaners or hair spray near an indoor propane space heater.
- Have your vented propane indoor space heater inspected annually.
- Make sure pathways to all of a space’s exits are clear when you’re using your indoor propane space heater.
You can learn more propane safety tips by going here.