Stay safe while staying warm

As the winter months bring colder temps, a portable space heater is an inexpensive way to bring some extra warmth to a particular area or room in your home – say, for example, that spare bedroom turned classroom or home office. But before you use a space heater to subdue the chill, here are some safety tips to keep in mind from the National Fire Prevention Association:

  • Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
  • Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
  • Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
  • Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
  • Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
  • Keep children away from the space heater.
  • Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
  • Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.

Visit the HMConnection page to read more articles



WBTL-0839 (Jan. 21)

© 2023 Horace Mann Educators Corporation

CUSTOMER SERVICE Call 800-999-1030

  • Auto and Property
    M – F, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Central time.
  • Life, Annuity and Group
    M – F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Central time.