Lifetime of Safety - February 2009

Prevent Space Heater Hazards This February
Oncor's Lifetime of Safety program wants you to get warm safely

It's c-c-c-cold out there! But before you decide to warm up your home with a space heater, make sure you know and follow Oncor's Lifetime of Safety tips for space heaters.

The National Fire Protection Agency states that heating equipment, like space heaters, are the No. 1 cause of home fires during December, January and February and the second-leading cause of home fires year-round. Most accidents involving space heaters are the result of human error – heaters are placed too close to combustible material like drapes and furniture, or they have not been properly maintained.

Follow these tips and share them with your friends and family:

• Give space heaters their space. Space heaters pose a higher risk of fire than central heating systems. Keep the space heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including walls.
• Unplug the heater every time you leave the room and when you go to bed.
• Plug electric-powered space heaters into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Make sure the plug fits snugly in the outlet, since a loose plug can overheat. If you're using the space heater in the bathroom, be sure to use a ground-fault circuit interrupter. Remember, electricity and water do not mix.
• Don't hide the cord under a rug or carpet. This can cause the cord to overheat and start a fire.
• Keep it stable. Don't put your space heater on plush carpet or other surfaces where the space heater may tip over easily.
• Check the tag. Make sure an independent testing laboratory (Underwriters Laboratories) has approved your space heater.

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