Brr, baby it is cold outside! When the temperatures drop below 50, it can feel colder than it is for residents used to the warm Florida weather. You may not need to crank up the furnace, but it is nice to be able to take the chill off a bit with a space heater. Before you pull out the trusty space heater, you need to do a quick inspection to make sure it is safe to use and will not become a fire hazard. An electrician in Miami has a list of things you should do before plugging in that heater. You can call Elcon Electric for more advice.
First and foremost, you will want to make sure the cord and plug are in good condition. Sometimes rodents are in the attic or our storage spaces no matter how hard we try to prevent them. Rodents love to chew on cords. Do a check from end to end to make sure there are no exposed wires. The plug should be tight and not have any wires showing or black marks on the prongs.
Once you have determined the cord is in good condition, you are free to plug it in. Check around the area you plan on using the heater. You don’t want the heater placed too close to any furniture, drapes or anything else that could ignite. Heaters blow out hot air from the front and back. Electric appliances need room to breathe so to speak, which means if you place the heater to close to a wall, it could overheat and start a fire. A Miami electrician advises you keep at least three feet of space between the heater and a wall and furniture. It is also strongly recommended you do not use an extension cord to plug the heater in. If you have any more questions or concerns about space heater safety, give Elcon Electric a call today.