Propane Heater Safety Tips

A propane heater is one of the most efficient ways to heat a house but it also has the potential to cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Things have come a long way since the days of ventless gas heaters that could suck all of the oxygen out of a closed room very quickly but there is still the potential for problems if something malfunctions. That is why it is suggested that anyone using a propane heater also use a carbon monoxide detector to make sure that their family is safe.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless gas that is a byproduct of combustion. It is responsible for the death of numerous people every year many of which could be avoided with proper precautions. One of the scariest parts of carbon monoxide poisoning is that it simply puts you to sleep and you don’t wake up. Laying down to go to bed in a room full of carbon monoxide is a recipe for disaster. A carbon monoxide detector could help you avoid this deadly situation.

There are other precautions to make sure that you are using you propane heater safely.

• You should put a portable propane heater in a well ventilated area instead of an enclosed area.
• You can crack a window to make sure that you have some fresh air entering a room that is being warmed with a propane heater.
• And always make sure that there are no combustibles in the area. Furniture, curtains, kids toys. All of these items must be at a safe distance. Open flame propane heaters have the potential to put out intense heat that can melt or burn items that are a few feet away.
• Make sure that your propane heater is up to date and is tested by a national certification standard.
• Make sure that there is an adequate protective cover around any heating element or open flame. Covers can get bent or damaged and need replacing.
• Make sure that there is a working thermo coupling that will shut the gas off if the flame goes out. And also make sure that there is an automatic shut off switch incase of any tip over.

A propane heater can be a great alternative to replacing an entire furnace system or can be a fabulous way to heat an older home that may not have central heat. Propane is relatively inexpensive, readily available, and highly efficient. Many new safety features make propane heaters a good way to go.

Propane heaters can be used inside with proper venting or outside with no venting. There are camp varieties of propane heaters that can make a cold camping trip much more enjoyable.

You must always keep safety in mind when using any type of heat producing element. Aside from fire the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning is very real. Detectors are inexpensive and easy to use. You can buy models that plug into an electrical outlet or you can buy combination smoke alarm carbon monoxide detectors that wire to the rest of the fire alarm in your home. Either way take the precautions you need to take to make your family safe and enjoy the warmth of your propane heater.