Temporary heating devices like torpedo heaters let critical work continue and make cold-weather conditions more comfortable. But poor selection and careless use cause injuries and damaging fires every year, since improper use can lead to burns, fires, explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
How Do You Choose and Set Up a Portable Heater Safely?
Always follow the safety guidelines. The most important instructions are on the side of the unit and are not the same for every heater, so what is safe in one location may not be safe in another.
What Are the Key Rules for Using a Portable Heater?
Keep the heater clear of fuel, ventilated, and never unattended.
- Never use a fueled heater within 10 feet of debris piles, temporary enclosures, tarps, or combustible or flammable material
- Maintain a good fresh air supply to avoid oxygen-deficient atmospheres, since the flame uses oxygen
- Keep a fire extinguisher immediately available for every heating unit
- Never leave a temporary heater unattended
- Avoid using temporary heaters in confined spaces, and when they must be used, provide sufficient ventilation and temperature control
Temporary heaters are great tools for working in cold, damp weather, but they can be dangerous, so learn how to operate them and never take them for granted.
