TULSA, OK – [January 22, 2014] \u2013\u00a0As temperatures drop, the Tulsa Health Department would like to remind Tulsa County residents of the importance of proper space heater use.<\/p>\n
THD recognizes that people may rely on space heaters during cold winter months; however, space heaters are only to be used as temporary heat sources. To minimize danger and potential house fires, THD stresses that space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn \u2013 especially bedding, paper and clutter.<\/p>\n
THD also advises that space heaters should not be connected with extension cords and should be UL Listed.\u00a0 If a product is UL Listed it means Underwrites Laboratories has tested samples of the product for risk of fire, electric shock and other hazards.<\/p>\n
Gas heaters (vented and unvented) may also be harmful if not used properly.\u00a0 Gas heaters that are not working properly could introduce the toxic gas carbon monoxide into living spaces.\u00a0 Most gas heaters specify where they can or cannot be used in a specific room.\u00a0 When used properly gas heat is effective and efficient, but when improperly installed or used they can be deadly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gas cooking stoves should never be used to heat a living space. Any heater or cooking equipment designed to be used outside the home should never be used inside because of the threat of both fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Tulsa Health Department offers these tips:<\/p>\n
If space heaters must be used, keep them three feet from anything that can burn and on a hard floor surface.
\nSpace heaters should also be UL approved and be plugged directly into a wall socket.\u00a0
\nBuy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, to shut off the heating element if the heater falls over.
\nNever use a cook stove to heat a living area.
\nGas heaters must have safety devices and be approved to be used in some living spaces.
\nInstall carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
\nInstall and maintain smoke detectors in your home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Tulsa Health Department may be able to advise if a heat source is safe or not safe.\u00a0 For questions regarding your heat source, please contact the environmental division at 918-595-4200.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TULSA, OK – [January 22, 2014] \u2013\u00a0As temperatures drop, the Tulsa Health Department would like to remind Tulsa County residents of the importance of proper space heater use. THD recognizes that people may rely on space heaters during cold winter months; however, space heaters are only to be used as temporary heat sources. To minimize […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n