Electric Heater Safety

I do not understand how so many people get through their lives without major fires and that applies doubly to those who carelessly use electric heaters -- especially the baseboard heaters. I know, from experience,  that it can be easy to do something dumb with a baseboard heater. Years ago, I dropped the hose of the shop-vac on the floor in front of an electric heater. I had not noticed that it flopped over and ended up touching the heater. When I came back the next day, the plastic hose was burned, melted and had a big hole in it. Thank goodness for good luck.

That incident was in the "accident" or careless category. The instances that really floor me are the people who, day after day, setup a fire hazard and then they get by with it. The photo below is an example. I have seen drapes, and towel racks with towels, hanging down over heaters before but this was really something.  The flowing material had moved right inside the heater. You can just barely see the heater, between the drapes. This is an accident waiting to happen.

If you have baseboard heaters, or wall heaters for that matter, please remember that the heating elements get blazing hot and they are not intended to have contact with flammable materials. The units look benign, but they are not. Do not take unnecessary risks and you, and your family, will live longer.

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