It can be uncomfortable if it’s freezing outside and your house or home isn’t equipped with central heating. Even if you’ve got central heating, the vents might not be able to reach certain areas of your home. In this case, it is advisable to use a space heater as the ideal solution. If you’re wondering, “Is it safe to sleep with a heater on,” then the quick answer is no!
But, if you have some safety guidelines, you can leave your heating on while you sleep. Be sure to read the entire article!
What Is the Reason That Sleeping With a Room Heater ON Can Be Dangerous?
Room heaters create heat that raises the room’s carbon monoxide levels. The fact that they are on for an extended period can raise the CO levels beyond the safe level and can be hazardous to health. It could cause chest pain and heart conditions in the long term. Patients with asthma, smokers, and people with heart conditions are especially at risk.
- The indications of increased levels of CO present in the room include headache, dizziness and sleeplessness, abdominal pain, nausea, and anxiety.
- Carbon Monoxide can also cause eye irritation. It may irritate the eyes and cause allergies. Dry eye issues may suffer from conjunctivitis.
- The high temperature generated by room heaters dries your skin out by drying the water. The result is that your skin feels dry, itchy, and rough. People who are accustomed to having heaters nearby are the most affected. Consider these homemade solutions if your hands and feet are cold during winter.
- The elevated concentrations of Carbon Monoxide inside the room are linked to a higher chance of asphyxia and sleep death. The gas blocks the flow of blood to the brain. This can disrupt the brain’s functioning. It can also cause brain hemorrhage or death in the worst scenario.
To prevent these issues from minimizing the risk of problems, keep a container of water near the heater in the room. This can help maintain the humidity inside the space.
Can I Sleep With a Space Heater ON? 5 Facts to Keep in Mind
You could say, “hey, I’ll die till morning if I don’t keep my room heater ON at night.”
There are some ways you can ensure that your heater stays on all night long and not do it recklessly. There are the following points are given below:
1. Does it have automated shut-off or cooling options?
Most electric space heaters offer the latest features, such as temperature controls and timers that can be programmed to heat up. With fan heaters, you can also select oscillations to distribute heat evenly throughout your room.
Other important features include automatic shut-off if the heater is overheated or gets too hot. If your heater isn’t equipped with an automatic shut-off option, it could be beneficial to shut it off before going to sleep in case it is thrown over.
In addition, you must switch off the heater when you’re not there to monitor it. The best practice is to study the manufacturer’s instructions and the instruction manual to find out information specific to the heater you have.
2. Do you have pets or children?
Also, think about the idea of putting on a space heater during your sleep, especially when you have children or pets. Space heaters are very hot, so you should ensure that your pet is allowed access to your bedroom during sleep.
Shutting it off is even more important. Additionally, a fire may start if they fall on the heater, which causes it to tip over (and not shut off automatically).
If you’re in desperate need of warmth before or after a night’s sleep, and you are forced to utilize your heating device, we suggest you turn up the heat before your bedtime and allow yourself to watch the unit, and then turn off the heat before going to sleep.
Allow sufficient time for your heater’s temperature to drop, or place it in a safe location where pets or children can’t reach it.
3. Do you regularly check it?
As you are likely not using your space heater for 12 months all year long, It is important to check it regularly, particularly when you first take it outside for the winter season. Look at the cord and be sure there isn’t any damage.
After you’ve had the heater on for just a brief period (before you fall asleep), ensure that the cord isn’t too hot to contact. If you have been using the space heater for a couple of months, you use it to ensure you perform these checks regularly.
4. What is the location where your furnace is situated?
The location of your heater is among the first considerations to consider about safety for space heaters. According to the DIY Network, most heaters have an area of three feet or more with no items that could ignite.
This is why many heater-caused fires in homes occur because items are close enough to the heater. In this regard, keep the blankets, clothing, papers, rugs, and any other items that could be a source of fire away from the heat source. Also, don’t set the heater on carpets or furniture, such as an armoire or table.
5. Are you plugging it into the wall or outlet strip?
One popular yet essential tip you’ll get is not to plug your space heater into outlets or extension cords. According to Bob Vila, these devices might not be able to manage your space heater’s energy demand, which can result in a damaged heater or cause an explosion in the wall because of power loss or other faults.
It sounds scary, but it’s true! But there’s a simple security measure we can all follow. Make sure to plug it into the wall. Not into the strip!
