Natural Gas Heater Safety

Natural gas heaters can be an excellent way to add some warmth to your home during the cold months.  However space heaters can also be very dangerous.  While they are very convenient they have the potential to be deadly.  The National Fire Prevention Association states that supplemental space heaters are the leading cause of home fires during the winter months.  This includes all types of heaters such as kerosene, propane, electrical and natural gas.  One of the best things to keep in mind when using supplemental heaters or any heater for that matter is safety.  There are a couple of levels of safety that you should consider and some precautions that need to be taken

Considerations for Space Heaters

If you decide that you need supplemental heat in your home and you determine that a space heater is the way to go you need to make sure that whatever heater you buy is certified by a national testing agency.  Buying heaters second hand could be a risky proposition because many safety features have been added in the last couple of years.

Any heater should have an automatic shut off switch that causes the heater to shut off if it is tipped over or knocked.  This is one of the features not found on older models that has the potential to save many homes from burning.

Heaters are made to heat rooms, not dry clothes, warm food, or heat furniture.  There are special makes and models for use in recreational vehicles.  Use a heater for what it is made for.  Heaters have the potential to be very dangerous when they are used for mixed use.

One of the most common ways that fires start is by curtains or furniture catching fire because they are too close to the heat source.  Make sure that any combustible material is more than 3 feet away from a heat source.  This includes bedding, wood furniture, or anything that could potentially fall into the danger zone.

Sleeping with space heaters on can be potentially dangerous because they are unattended and because they have the potential to cause carbon monoxide poisoning.  When you go to sleep or leave the house turn off the heater and cut off the gas.  This also applies to leaving children or pets unattended around natural gas heaters.  

Ensure that space heaters are in proper working order.  Make sure that all guards are in place and that all footings are secure.  Make sure that any pilot lights and themro-coupling is in proper working order.

Ensure that the space heater is on a non combustible surface that is solid and level.  Carpets, rugs, wood floors, and unleveled surfaces are very dangerous.  Stone, tile, slate, or some other type of no flammable mat is highly suggested.

Make sure that you are using the proper fuel in your heater.  This is not usually too much of a problem considering that natural gas heaters will normally be tied into the existing gas plumbing.  But if you have a kerosene, or propane heater it may be possible to mix up the fuels.  Some heaters are multi fuel compatible but you must be sure before you burn different fuels because may fuels burn at different temperatures.

Make sure that you have at least one fire alarm in the area that you are using the heater and make sure that the fire alarm is multi functional.  It need to have a carbon monoxide detector and an an oxygen level indicator.  Natural gas heaters produce carbon monoxide which can lead to death.  They also have the potential to reduce the oxygen level by a dangerous amount.  Using the proper monitoring equipment is essential for your safety.

Make sure that your family knows what to do in an emergency situation.  They have regular fire drills at school where a fire is unlikely.  It is essential that when they are at home where the likely hood of a fire is much higher that they be prepared.  You should practice drills, teach your kids to open windows and let them know that in an emergency situation anything goes.  If they need to break a window to get out they need to do what it takes.  If you have second story bedrooms you need to make considerations for timely escape.  Placing fire extinguishers around in strategic locations is also recommended.

It is important to be comfortable during the cold months of winter but you must also take the proper precautions.  Natural gas heaters can make a home a warm comfortable place to relax but if any of the safety precautions are not taken situations can go from bad to worse very quickly.  Decide if a natural gas heater is right for your home and have a good winter.