Milwaukee, WI – Paul Davis Restoration, a national franchise company and leading provider of fire and water damage clean up and restoration services for residential and commercial properties, provides consumers with safety tips when using electric space heaters in cold weather months. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), electric space heaters are associated with more than 2,400 fires each year that result in deaths, injuries and millions of dollars in property loss.
According to Dan Druml, Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling office owner, many people get a false sense of security when using electric space heaters because the heaters don’t have an open flame. However, the heating elements of some types of electric heaters are hot enough to ignite many common household materials like draperies, paper, clothing, and furniture. “Those who use electric space heaters need to take special care when determining where to place them,” said Druml. “Consumers should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to see how far the heater should be placed from combustible materials, and how the heater should be placed on the floor so that carpeting or flooring materials don’t ignite,” he said.
Additionally, to prevent electrocutions, Druml recommends keeping portable electric heaters away from water and never using them in a bathroom or near a sink. “If you must use an appliance near water, always use a ground fault circuit interrupter,” said Druml.
Paul Davis Restoration offices across the United States in concert with safety and fire industry professionals will help to spread the word in their communities about the use of electric space heaters which is one of the leading causes of home fires and personal injury during cold weather months.
For more information, go to www.cpsc.gov.
Paul Davis Restoration recommends the following when selecting an electric heater.
• Look for a heater that has been tested by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory and meets federal safety standard requirements.
• Purchase a heater with a safety guard or wire grill around the heating element. The safety guard should be constructed to prevent a child’s fingers or combustible materials from touching the hot element.
Druml also recommends the following safety tips for additional uses of space heaters:
• Before using the heater, read and follow the instructions for its operation and maintenance.
• If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is the correct cord for the model of heater you are using. An incorrectly-sized cord may create a fire hazard.
• Never run the heater’s cord (or any cord) under rugs or carpeting.
• Do not leave the heater operating unattended or operating while sleeping. Portable electric air heaters are designed for use only as temporary supplemental heating and only while attended.
• Do not use an electric heater as a dryer by placing clothing over it and never use it heater to thaw pipes.
• Keep the heater in safe working condition. Replace missing guards and controls at once. Never operate a defective heater.
• Don’t place the heater where children might play near it or where people might trip over or bump into it.
• Place the heater on a level surface for stability.
• Regardless of the type of heating system you have, install and maintain at least one smoke detector that is in good working condition on each floor of your home.
In the unlikely event that your home experiences a fire from using a space heater, it is important that you act quickly to prevent further loss and damage. The potential for further damage doesn’t stop after the fire is out.
“If you experience a fire from space heater accidents, it is crucial to begin emergency services procedures immediately. Delaying the start of this work can drastically increase the cost and complexity of the loss to your home,” said Druml. “Also, contact a professional in the restoration and emergency mitigation service industry about losses in the home. Look for properly licensed individuals and companies with certifications from leading industry organizations like The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).”
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Paul Davis Restoration, Inc. is a leading provider of fire, water and mold damage restoration, and reconstruction services for residential and commercial properties. They also provide remodeling services for kitchen and bath remodeling and room additions. Founded in 1966, Paul Davis Restoration has franchise office locations throughout the US. Visit the website at www.pdrestoration.com .
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on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Paul Davis Restoration of S E WISCONSIN (SEWI), Wisconsin.
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