Evergy
Cold weather is here, and Evergy urges customers to be safe when using space heaters, electric blankets and other portable home heating devices.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports space heaters cause more than 20,000 housefires each year. While central heating is more efficient and cost-effective, space heaters can provide extra comfort when safely used during colder temperatures.
Space Heaters
- Always review and follow any safety instructions on your specific space heater.
- Plug your heater into a wall outlet. Never plug a portable space heater into a power strip or extension cord.
- Heaters should be placed on flat surfaces, such as the floor. Do not leave them anywhere that they could fall.
- Keep them 3 feet from other items, especially blankets and curtains.
- Make sure they have the proper certifications, for example, UL approved. This means the product has been tested and meets specific safety requirements.
- Do not leave a running space heater unattended or use one while sleeping. Choose a space heater with a timer.
- Choose a space heater that is the proper size for the room to avoid wasting energy or overheating a room.
Electric Blankets
- Throw out electric blankets or heating pads with dark, charred or frayed spots or indications the electric cord is cracked or frayed.
- Do not allow anything on top of a heating pad or electric blanket when it is in use, including other blankets or even pets. Electric blankets may overheat.
- Never fold electric blankets when in use. Folded or tucked in blankets could overheat and cause a fire.
- Do not use electric blankets or heating pads while sleeping. Turn them off when not in use.
An Evergy representative is available to talk about space heater and electric blanket safety, and the proper ways to use both.