Firewood sales are rising. So are the sales of portable heaters, one of the most convenient and affordable ways to heat a room in your home. But if you decide to use these in your home, there are some do's and don'ts you should know about.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and the New York Fire Department (FDNY) Foundation urge everyone to follow these simple tips when using portable electric heaters:
1. Read the manufacturer's instructions and warning labels before using your portable electric heater.
2. Do not leave an operating heater unattended and always unplug it when not in use.
3. Do not use your heater with a power strip or extension cord. Overheating of a power strip or extension cord could result in a fire.
4. Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes and curtains at least three feet from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear. Do not block the heater's air intake or outlet.
5. Unplug the heater when not in use by pulling the plug straight out from the outlet. Inspect the heater's cord periodically. Do not use a heater with a damaged cord.
For more safety tips, you can order a copy of AHAM's safety brochure, available in both English and Spanish free of charge at www.heatersafety.org or by calling (888) 785-7233. Please be smart, be safe and enjoy your portable electric heater!
Copyright © 2007, ARAnet, Inc.
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