After space heaters ignite fires in DC region, expert offers tips on how to use them safely

As the winter approaches and it gets colder you may be looking for alternative techniques to heat your home like using space heaters Related stories Tips for safe use of space heaters other fire risks Fire safety tips for space-heater season Staying warm and preventing a fire Safety tips as the temperatures drop If so Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer advised WTOP beware users need to learn how to use these heat sources safely to avoid fires Out of three serious overnight fires across Maryland and Virginia this week fire investigators say at least two were caused by space heaters The U S Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that from to portable heaters including electric space heaters were involved in an average of fires per year in the U S resulting in an average of deaths and injuries each year Piringer reported residents need to take precautions before using space heaters and offers tips for how to use these alternative heating sources safely The bulk vital advice he commented is to give the space heater a lot of space around it Space heaters can cause fires if they are placed too close to combustible materials such as drapes furniture or bedding according to the CPSC You need to create that circle of safety keep anything that can burn at least three feet away Piringer informed WTOP He stated that s true for any kind of alternative heating sources whether it be a wood stove or a fire pit or space heaters A lot of us also have wood-burning stoves fireplaces other heating sources but in all these cases make sure that you create that safe zone around it he noted adding that the space helps create breathing room and proper ventilation for the heat emitting from the source Next Piringer declared homeowners need to keep up maintenance on space heaters to ensure they don t malfunction while in operation He also recommends to never keep a space heater unattended and keep clutter away from it The heater should be on a flat stable floor Don t try to warm anything but the room itself Piringer commented Another fundamental tip is that people should not combine a space heater with any kind of moisture never use it in a bathroom where it might get wet from water or humidity Piringer mentioned When space heaters get wet it creates a serious pitfall of electric shock electrocution or fire because water conducts electricity Water can also cause components to short circuit which can lead to sparks and fires When plugging in an electric heater consistently plug it directly into a wall outlet Avoid using extension cords or power strips he disclosed because they can cause overheating In terms of the best kind of space heater to use Piringer revealed that any kind of fuel-burning space heater should not be used indoors Of lesson we don t recommend that in any scenario in fact they re illegal to use indoors most of places in the state of Maryland he commented And what s the next largest part central safety tip Turn the heater off when you leave the room and use a kid-free and pet-free zone Establish that area around the safety zone around any kind of space heater Piringer declared Source