Safety Advice when using an Electrical Portable Heater at Home
Electric portable heaters have had a resurgence in popularity in recent times, as modern, eco-efficient models have broken into the market. Previously, they were labelled as being very wasteful but this is no longer the case - as discussed in this article. Electric portable heaters offer all types of advantages. They have flexible placement, they are virtually maintenance free, and they incur cheap running costs. However, there are dangers that come with running portable heaters - even the newer range. In this article, Sparks will take a look at safe portable heater usage. We will use advice taken from a prestigious heating manufacturer - Dimplex. What to look for when first purchasing an electric heater The first thing to check for is if your heater has a BEAB approved European Safety Mark. This mark is the highest safety standard achievable in the UK market and is well-trusted in the industry. When looking at Dimplex heaters, you will find the mark on the product itself, as well as the packaging and literature. The BEAB approved mark indicates that ‘Intertek’ (an independent third-party company) has given the green light to the product. This means they have verified that the manufacturer has committed to best practice, product quality and, most importantly, customer safety. Customer safety is the key issue we will examine in this article. BEAB awarded products offer a variety of safety features including: Run back timers. Easy to clean dust filters. Overheat cut outs. Built-in tilt switches (this cuts off power to the heater in case it is knocked over). Dimplex’s latest range of heaters include some or all of these features. They also have other advantages. For instance, the Dimplex DXC30Ti 3.0kW can be used as a portable heater or be wall mounted. It also comes with feet, wall brackets, a cable and a fitted plug. This makes it very easy to install - in whatever area of the home you choose. While old-school portable heaters were only considered as an option for rarely used ‘outbuildings’, these heaters are designed to complement any area (except the bathroom). This provides a great deal of convenience to the user. Safety advice: Using your electric portable heater at home Electric portable heaters carry fewer risks than other forms of heating. There is no fuel that is being burned internally, so there is no risk of carbon monoxide (CO) fumes or the dangers of storing and changing gas bottles. These are problems involved with using portable gas heaters. When used correctly, electric portable heaters are among the safest ways you can warm up your room. However, this should not cause you to become too complacent - you still need to take the following safety advice when using these products at home: Purchase your heater from recognised manufacturers and retailers. Also, ensure that the product shows the BEAB mark as an assurance of safety. Always avoid buying second-hand heaters. They may have potentially harmful defects. Put your heater on a level surface and away from any potential obstruction. Do not power a heater from an extension lead. These can be easily overloaded, which will cause an electrical fire. Never cover, drape or leave clothing on an electric heater. Also, refrain from using it to dry your clothes. Keep your heater a safe distance (at least a metre) away from clothes, curtains and furniture. Turn your heater off and allow it to cool before moving on. Make sure your heater is regularly inspected for damage and deterioration by a registered electrician. Do not use it if you are in any way uncertain, or if there is apparent damage. Always use the portable heater for its intended application. Keeping a warm and safe home with Dimplex Dimplex set out with a policy goal of designing all of their products with ‘safety front and centre’. If they are used as advised in this article, their electric heaters should be much safer than other forms of heating. No fuel is consumed with Dimplex’s modern heaters, which mean less ventilation is required in your home. You are also at far less risk of CO poisoning. Additionally, the newer models are highly eco-efficient, meaning they still retain the low running costs that made them so popular when they first came out. So, if you are looking for a flexible, safe, energy-efficient means of heating your home - then Dimplex has you covered with their brilliant array of electric portable heaters.