Portable Heaters

Staying Safe While Beating the Cold

With temperatures falling and snow accumulating, the use of personal or portable heaters becomes a common sight. However, use of these items can bring additional risk to both people and property. Here are a few tips to stay safe while keeping warm:

Types of heaters

• Electric space heaters are the most common form of portable heat. The cord insulation should not have any damage and have a ground pin. Fire code states that these heaters MUST be plugged directly into a wall socket. Use of power strips or extension cords increase the chance of fire due to the large power draw by these items. Additionally, heaters must have a tip safeguard which shuts the heater off in case it gets knocked over.
• Sealed oil heaters are a bit safer than basic electric in that it is more of a radiant heat. However, the metal case can get hot to the touch and present a burn hazard. Like an electric heater, the cord must be sound and also plugged directly into an outlet.
• Kerosene or torpedo heaters can be a common sight on construction sites. These provide excellent heating for large spaces, but due to heating from combustion, carbon monoxide is a byproduct. Use of any combustion style heater requires ventilation to ensure it doesn’t build up to a dangerous level.

With the use of any portable heating device, ensure the area is clear of any combustible material, curtains or any other material of concern. Always ensure the device is completely shut off after use and unplug electric heaters after use to prevent accidental fires.

Contact

Ryan Tyson
rmtyson@purdue.edu
765-494-1019