Portable Outdoor Heater Safety

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

Everyone loves to spend time outside but during the winter months as the temperatures drop it can be difficult to do. Many people will enlist the help of portable heaters and fires to keep them warm. These activities are perfectly safe to do as long as you understand that they are also fire hazards. Luckily, as long as you take the proper safety precautions these hazards can be reduced greatly:

• Follow all manufacturer’s instructions for usage of fuel and fire starters.
  • Portable heaters should only be filled with the recommended fuel types
  • Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids in fire pits or campfires
  • Propane for heaters should always be stored properly
• Always be present
  • Never leave a portable heater running unattended, if you have to step away even for a moment turn it off and turn it back on when you return
  • If you have a fire, you should keep a bucket of water or a hose within reach while the fire is lit
  • When you put a fire out, stir the ashes around and make sure that all of the embers are extinguished and there aren’t any buried that are still smoldering
• Be mindful of placement
  • Portable heaters need to be placed on a level surface in a spot where they won’t be bumped or knocked over
  • Fire pits should be at least 10 feet away from your house
  • Watch children and pets and make sure they stay a safe distance from any heat sources
  • If you’re having a campfire the fire should be at least 25 feet from structures or anything that can burn, and always check for overhanging branches

Following these tips will allow you and your family to enjoy being outdoors, even when it gets cold, while still remaining safe.