Project priorities: Fire prevention and safety
You spent summer weekends at the lake and never got around to finishing that Adirondack chair you were making for Mom. And what about that dollhouse you want to make your daughter for Christmas? You’ve got a lot of work to do in the shop this fall! But the garage gets pretty chilly as the weather gets colder, and bringing in a space heater really takes the edge off.
But workshops and garages can be particularly dangerous places for alternative heat sources. With all that lumber and sawdust around, not to mention paint and rags, an improperly used space heater could spell disaster.
In Minnesota last year, 10 percent of all structure fires were caused by heat sources like space heaters and furnaces. Nationwide, most home fires occur in the winter months and peak in January. That’s why it’s important to follow these safety tips when heating your workshop or garage with a space heater:
- Keep sawdust and wood shavings swept up, especially in the three feet around the heater.
- Keep the heater three feet from anything flammable.
- Check the heater for frayed cords and other flaws — and don’t use it if you find any.
- Always plug the heater into the wall — never use an extension cord.
- Never drape anything (such as a towel, rag, or item of clothing) over a space heater.
- Turn the heater off before you leave the room, even if it’s just to run in to the house for just a moment to grab something.
If you follow these precautions carefully, you should be able to use your workshop or garage safely well into the fall and perhaps part of the winter as well. Good luck checking all those projects off your list, and stay safe!
