Outdoor electric heaters are an excellent way to enjoy your patio or back yard, even when the air becomes chilly. However, as with any type of heating element, safety is always an important issue. While most people have learned how to use a fireplace or a space heater safely, electric patio heaters are more unfamiliar.

Here are a few safety precautions to follow to ensure a fun and care-free patio heating experience.

1. Only use your patio heater outdoors.

If a tabletop heater works well on your patio, it should warm up your kitchen table in a pinch, too, right? Although that is a logical assumption, if your heater is designed to be used outdoors, it should only be used outdoors. Your heater may not have the proper venting or emissions standards to be used in your home.

2. Consider hazards in the area where you set up your electric heater.

  • Before you plug in your heater, take a moment to consider the potential hazards in the surrounding area. Some examples include:
  • Is the electric cord lying across a pathway where people might trip over it?
  • If the heater is below a tree, is there a risk that leaves or small branches might fall into the heating element, causing a fire?
  • Is the heater in a high-traffic area, where it would be easy to brush against a hot surface accidentally?
  • Have you followed the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding proper floor surface and distance from flammable materials?

3. Be careful of high winds while using your outdoor heater.

Although a patio heater can keep you warm even on the coolest nights, it’s not recommended to use one if the winds are too strong. Heavy gusts can knock over your electric heater, causing a fire hazard.

By following these safety tips, you can ensure that you and your family enjoy your outdoor patio heating for many years to come.

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Related posts:

  1. Electric Patio Heaters: Bring the Party Outside
  2. Review: Endless Summer EWTR800SP “New Orleans” Tabletop Electric Heater
  3. Outdoor Patio Wood Heaters – a Cozy Alternative to Electric

Filed under: Patio heaters

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