Electric heater: six tips from the Ministry of Emergency Situations that you should read right now

It's hard to imagine cold evenings without an electric heater – a convenient, practical, and powerful device that easily warms a house or apartment. Every year, the assortment of electric heating appliances only increases, while the trend of violating safety rules during their use persists.

Fires are not uncommon during the cold season. Traditionally, the beginning of the heating season is accompanied by smoke-stained (at best) homes, broken lives, and even deaths. One might ask, what does a heater have to do with this? It seems simple enough: a heavy casing, a couple of buttons, and a cord. The heater itself is unlikely to catch fire or explode, but it can cause problems during an already minor time of year. In this material, we will tell you how not to lose the battle with the cold and keep your home safe.

1. You need to read the instructions.

Yes, you need to read that dusty and forgotten document that most owners of new equipment usually never open. The manual for using the equipment will not only provide knowledge about the correct use of the electric heater but also help prevent or identify malfunctions.

2. It's better to forget about the idea of using a homemade or faulty electric heater.

Homemade heaters are among the leading causes of fires. "Crazy hands" are better applied to more harmless devices, and illusory savings can result in home or apartment repairs.

It is also unacceptable to use faulty electric heaters. Before use, it is better to check the equipment: whether the leg or fastening is broken, whether there is insulation damage on the wire. It is better to entrust this work to professionals, but you can also check the equipment yourself. It takes one minute, and in the future, it will save your home, health, and precious time.

3. Heater and flammable materials as a guarantee of fire.

It is recommended to install the appliance at least 50 centimeters away from flammable materials. Furniture, curtains, children's toys, boxes, books can serve as an excellent object for starting a fire in an apartment. We think there is no need to talk about varnishes, paints, gasoline, or gas cylinders.

4. The heater must not be covered.

Drying clothes on a heater is a bad idea. In old models, there was a possibility of ignition upon contact with fabric, and in new ones, a fire can occur due to heating. If the manufacturer assures in the instructions that "everything is under control" and there is no fire threat – remember that all heaters are household appliances of increased danger. Although it makes our days a little warmer, there is always a chance that a loyal friend can betray.

5. Always keep an eye on the heater.

Even if you are going to the store or to neighbors, be sure to turn off all appliances, especially the heater. It is also advisable to unplug it from the socket.

It is strictly forbidden to fall asleep with the electric heater on, especially near the bed or other flammable interior items. Save electricity and take a warmer blanket.

6. The heater is not a toy

Children should not be allowed to use such an appliance independently. Even adults cannot always use an electric heater correctly, observing safety precautions. And there can be no talk of children, because a child does not understand that it is not a toy. Children can accidentally cover the appliance, put toys on it, drop something on it, or get burned. Use electric heating appliances in children's rooms with great caution and strictly forbid children from turning electric appliances on or off independently!

P.S. Often, the functions of heaters are transferred to gas stoves. People turn on burners and do not even think about the sad consequences. This is dangerous: at any moment, there may be a gas supply failure, or simply a draft will extinguish the fire. As a result, in addition to poisoning, there is a possibility of an explosion of accumulated gas.