No matter how well your home's heating system works, when the winter months arrive and temperatures drop, it seems as if you can't turn that thermostat up far enough -- particularly right before you crawl into bed at night. Of course, the prospect of an outrageously high utility bill might inspire you to throw another blanket on the bed, but what do you do during the daytime? Sure, you can bundle up, but how pleasant is it to walk around your home bearing a close resemblance to the Michelin man? So you consider a considerably cheaper and more comfortable alternative: the space heater. But space heaters have gotten a bad rap. Are they safe or not? Are you bringing a fire hazard into your home?

First, let's start with a run-down of the risks some portable space heaters have been known to present. Aside from fires, these units could also have gas leaks -- most namely, carbon monoxide, which, as you're probably aware, is colorless and odorless. By the time carbon monoxide sets in, the results can be fatal. Some units use natural gas as their energy source, and these units, too, can experience gas leaks. Electric shocks are another risk that some portable space heaters have presented to homeowners. In the event of a fire, you'll want to keep a dry, powdered fire extinguisher on hand, which can snuff out a small fire. Don't attempt to extinguish a larger fire on your own; leave the house immediately, and call the fire department.

This isn't to say that all portable space heaters are accidents waiting to happen. To help prevent those accidents from occurring, however, you'll need to take a few proactive measures to protect yourself and your family. It's always a good idea to purchase at least one carbon monoxide dectector for your home, whether or not you own a portable space heater. But in particular, if you own a portable heating unit, you'll want to have a carbon monoxide dectector located close to where you keep the unit in your home. Inspect the detectors in your home frequently to make sure they're in good working order, and replace their batteries early and often (at the same time you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors -- another "must," regardless of whether or not you own a space heater). Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include:

• Dizziness, sleepiness and/or headaches;
• Nausea and/or vomiting;
• Sudden onset of an unexplained, flu-like illness;
• Heart palpitations and/or throbbing in the heart area;
• A "pallor" in the face, including a sudden change in lip color (lips often turn a bright red color); and
• Unconsciousness

If you do suspect that a family member or friend has fallen victim to carbon monoxide poisoning from your space heater, move the victim out of the house immediately to expose him or her to fresh air as soon as possible. Make sure everyone else in your home leaves the house immediately, as well. Call 911, and if time allows, open as many windows as you can before you, too, leave the house.

Also, make sure you inspect your space heater frequently during the winter months when it's in use for anything that looks out of the ordinary. To prevent the risk of sparks and ultimately, house fires, keep the area around your portable space heater completely clean. Move all papers, books, furniture -- anything and everything that could catch fire -- away from the heater. A good rule of thumb is to move anything potentially combustible a minimum three feet from your portable space heater. And perhaps most important, never leave a portable space heater running while it's unattended. Under no circumstances should you ever leave your home while the heater is on -- not even just to run down the street on a quick errand -- but if you can help it, don't leave the room where your space heater is running while you're at home.

If you discover that your heater is beginning to smoke, or if you discover that your heater has begun to spark or even catch fire, unplug the unit immediately. Move everyone out of the house immediately. If the fire is small and is still contained, use a powdered fire extinguisher. Never use water to extinguish and electrical fire. Call 911 and/or your local fire department.

It's important to note that some accidents have occurred with space heaters because homeowners didn't follow manufacturers' instructions regarding proper safety procedures. In addition to the scenarios listed above, some homeowners have opted to dry their wet socks, gloves or other clothing items on top of or directly above their space heaters. It's just a matter of time before a fire starts. Some homeowners also have chosen to reinterpret the manufacturers' recommendations for fuel. Use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer of the heating unit; never use a "substitute" fuel or gasoline, instead. And when your fuel supply runs low, turn off your unit, unplug it and let it cool down before you refuel it.

If you have any doubts about what kind of portable space heater is right for your home, call your local fire department -- they're your best resource for purchasing a unit that will keep everyone in your house toasty this winter, but without compromising your safety in the process.

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Published: November 11, 1999

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