Keep your family safe from burns and fires.
OlenaMykhaylova / Getty Images
When the weather gets chilly, thespace heaterscome out.
Space heaters can take the edge off and keep you cozy wherever you are in your home.
Credit:OlenaMykhaylova / Getty Images
But these electric appliances are potentially dangerous and can cause burns or fires when they aren’t used properly.
Here are the top things you should never do with your space heater.
But water and electricity don’t mix.
Keep your space heater out of the bathroom, a tight space with a lot of splashing water.
Don’t Use Them To Warm Pipes
Again, space heaters and water are a bad combination.
If your pipes are frozen or are in danger of freezing, they could burst.
Insulate pipes orleave your faucets drippingto prevent freezing instead.
Don’t leave them onwhen you leave homeor while you’re asleep in bed, either.
This is even more critical if you have young children or pets in the house.
Make absolutely sure space heaters are off by pulling the plug from the outlet.
The heat can cause clothing, bedding, and other linens like curtains or pillows to catch fire.
And never run theextension cordunderneath a rug or plug it into a power strip.
Don’t Overload Your Wiring
Space heaters use a lot of power.
Don’t plug more than one into the same outlet or even into the same circuit.
In general, a space heater should get an outlet all to itself.
If you have old, faulty wiring, it’s best to avoid using space heaters altogether.
A space heater doesn’t belong where children play with their toys or run through the house.
Keep children at a distance in case those tiny fingers could reach through the guard.
