Are you tired of having frozen feet and toes in chilly weather? Does the cold make you feel tired and sluggish while working on your desk?
An under-desk space heater is the right solution for you. Space heaters are devices that generate hot air to heat up a room, keeping you warm and comfortable as the temperature drops.
But in order to reap the benefits of a space heater, you need to understand how to use it safely. Keep on reading to learn some safety tips for using space heaters under the desk.
1. Read the instruction manual
Don’t plug the heater into a power outlet before reading the instructions manual. It’ll tell you everything about operating the heater, choosing the right heat setting, and the recommended operation time. It will also teach you how to act if something goes wrong.
It’s usually recommended to plug your under desk heater directly into a wall outlet. It draws a lot of electric energy and shouldn’t be plugged into an outlet that it shares with other appliances.
2. Pick the right under-desk space heater
With lots of under-desk heaters on the market, picking the right one should be your first priority. Make sure that you’ve chosen a high-quality space heater with proper accreditions. Although the heater should radiate warmth, the body itself shouldn’t get too hot, so it doesn’t burn your skin if you accidentally touch it.
You should also make sure that it’s suitable for your needs. Understand how hot your heater can get and ensure that it’s ideal for the space you have and your personal preferences.
Here’s a list of the best under-desk space heaters you can buy online.
3. Inspect your under-desk heater
Whether you’re using the heater for the first time or turning it on after summer is over, you need to examine its body, the cord, and the plug for any signs of damage.
A loose connection or a broken plug will result in a fire safety hazard. Likewise, you shouldn’t use the heater if you see any signs of wear or fraying on the cable.
Proper storage is necessary as twisting the wire can damage it in the long run. Make sure that your heater is cold before storing it away.
4. Pay attention to tip over
A steady space heater is a safe one. Your heater should have some mechanism that prevents it from being easily tipped over, as it might damage your floors or even cause a fire hazard.
For maximum safety, you should consider a heater that comes with a tip-over switch that automatically shuts off the heater if it’s not standing upright.
You should keep your heater level and make sure not to knock it over while you’re sitting down. It’s recommended to keep your heater a few feet away from everything, including your feet.
5. Avoid placing your heater on the rug
The rug is flammable, and your heater shouldn’t go on it. Instead, place your space heater on the tiles, hardwood, or vinyl floor to avoid starting a fire.
6. Keep it away from water
Water and electricity don’t create the safest combo. If you’re keeping a plant pot or fish tank next to your desk, or your pet’s water bowl on the floor, then your space heater should go somewhere else.
You should also avoid using space heaters on the floors of kitchens and bathrooms because the floors are likely to get wet.
7. Make sure there’s enough space around it
In order to avoid any fire hazard, you should keep the space heater away from any flammable object. This includes fuzzy slippers, the bin, and any papers you might have accidentally dropped under your desk.
8. Don’t leave the heater unattended
Turn off your under desk heater before leaving the room. This will prevent any accident from taking place in case a kid or a curious pet knocks it over or puts a piece of fabric on it.
9. Make sure the room is well-ventilated
If your under-desk heater doesn’t come with a low-oxygen sensor that notifies you before the oxygen level drops in your room, you should open your window or door every now and then. Although this will make your room lose some of the heat, it helps to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
10. Unplug the heater
Once you’ve turned off the heater, you need to unplug it. Even after turning off electric appliances, they would still consume a small amount of electric energy. This is why you need to unplug your heater if you want to reduce your carbon footprint and electricity bill.
Conclusion
An under desk heater will allow you to study and work comfortably without worrying about your toes freezing in cold weather. But you need to pick a reliable space heater and follow all the guidelines I’ve mentioned to make sure that you’re using it safely.