The colder temperatures often cause people to bring out small space heaters for specific rooms within their house. These little, portable furnaces can help warm up an area quickly, but they can also be a potential hazard to one's residential dwelling. This weekly insurance claim update will addresses some household issues associated with the use of a portable space heater.
Understanding How to Properly Use a Space Heater
If homeowners plan to use a space heater in a bedroom or living space within their home, they need to be sure to familiarize themselves with the make and model of their portable heater unit. On-line research should be conducted to make sure no recalls or problems have ever been reported on their specific brand of space heater.
Homeowners should also read the instruction manual that comes with these types of units and pay close attention to the warnings. If a warranty card is available, it would be a good idea to fill it out and send it to the manufacturer to be better protected should a problem ever occur.
Space heaters need to be dusted frequently and kept clean. If dirt, oil, or dust clogs up a space heater it may malfunction and cause a fire or smoke damage.
Placement of a Space Heater
If a person is going to use a space heater for added warmth, they need to make sure it is placed in a safe area within the home. The plug-in cord should be laid out in a way that does not contribute to a potential slip, trip, or fall accident.
According to an article published by the National Fire Protection Association, "The leading factor contributing to space heater fires in general was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding."
Many space heaters come with a feature that allows them to automatically turn off should they get knocked over while in use. While this feature does not guarantee 100% safety, it is nice to have a space heater with tip-over protection.
In the News
This Monday a storm systems swept through the Southern states causing excessive damage, flooding and loss of life. In Alabama a single tornado touched down in the town of Rehobeth where four people were killed when the devastating storm system touched down on the home located in the southeastern part of the state.
Flooding in the state of Florida is beleived to be the cause of death for the 70-year-old man who was discovered floating just outside his home. The storm originated in Texas where it drenched much of the state before moving eastward causing widespread damage from Louisiana to Florida. If you suffered damage to your home or business contact The Voss Law Firm at 888-614-7730 today to receive information crucial towards filing your insurance claim or winning your much disserved money from your insurance provider.
