Put safety first when using space heaters

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.

Space heater safety

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.

• Do not leave propane space heaters unattended while you’re awake, either. If you’re leaving the room, even for just a few minutes, turn them off.
• Place your freestanding space heater on a level floor, never on a table or chair because they can fall off.
• Keep at least 3 feet of clear space around your space heater, and make sure children don’t get any closer than that.
• Have your space heater inspected and maintained annually.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, and outside all bedrooms. Check them twice a year, replace the batteries, and replace any detectors more than 5 years old.
• If you smell gas around the space heater, don’t turn it on. Get everyone out of the house right away and call LG Jordan or 911.

Bedroom warming tips

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.

• Invest in cold-weather bedding. Flannel sheets are soft, thick and comfortable. A thicker comforter, multiple blankets, an electric blanket, or a weighted comforter can also help keep you warm.
• Wear socks to bed. Warm feet will help the rest of you feel warmer.
• Close the curtains to keep heat in. Speaking of the windows, seal up any cracks or drafts around them.
• Use the space heater in your bedroom periodically during the evening before bed. At bedtime, make sure the heater is turned off and close the bedroom door to keep the heated air in.

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.