Hillsborough Offers 9 Space Heater Safety Tips

TAMPA, FL – While some houses in Florida have a fireplace, many other families look to space heaters to keep their homes warm as the temperatures dip.

However, if space heaters aren’t used correctly, they could become hazards to families looking to stay cozy. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the No. 2 cause of home fire deaths in the United States.

Hillsborough County offers the following safety tips for its residents who plan to use a portable electric space heater:

1. Only use a heater with the seal of an independent testing laboratory (UL, etc.)
2. Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from people and anything else that can burn
3. Choose a heater with overheat protection and a thermostat
4. Place heaters on a flat, solid surface
5. Make sure a heater has an auto shut-off mechanism if the unit tips over
6. Do not put space heaters in the way of foot traffic and never block an exit
7. Keep children away from space heaters
8. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet; never use an extension cord
9. Turn off and unplug space heaters when you leave a room or go to bed

For more holiday fire prevention tips, visit www.nfpa.org.

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