We get it. Winter heating bills can get brutal, especially when a cold snap comes our way to North Carolina. And the thought of spending the night shivering instead of sleeping isn’t a pleasant one.
So we get that it’s tempting to want to supplement the heat in your bedroom overnight with your propane space heater.
Don’t do it. Sorry for the digital shouting, but this is really important.
Even though today’s propane space heaters come with many safety features, using propane space heaters while sleeping can be dangerous for you and your family.
Space heaters account for 43 percent of home heating fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. They also cause 85 percent of the deaths associated with home heating fires.
More than half of these fires are caused by heaters being too close to combustible items like furniture, mattresses, curtains, bedding or clothing.
Another risk of using propane space heaters while sleeping is carbon monoxide poisoning. Since CO is odorless and colorless, you may be susceptible to breathing this in, especially if this happens while you’re asleep.
You may too think you’re saving money by running heaters in several rooms instead of turning the thermostat up, but you likely aren’t. Doing this can also increase the risk of freezing your pipes.
When utilized properly, propane space heaters are great and provide a boost of heat in unheated or insufficiently heated spaces like home additions, garages, sunporches and finished attics. But you need to know how to use them safely.
You can sleep snug and warm without running the space heater while you’re sleeping, and you don’t need to crank up the thermostat, either. Here are some things you can do.
You’re our neighbors, and we want you to be safe. If you have any questions about propane space heating or any other uses for propane in your home, please contact LG Jordan and we’ll be glad to help.