When winter rolls around, a space heater sounds like a wonderful option for some homes. If a house is too big to use central heating or if homeowners simply want to save money, space heaters offer an alternative to getting homes warm and toasty. These devices are portable devices that you can place in the room that you want to heat up. However, while portable heaters can seem like a great alternative, they have the potential to cause extensive harm and damage.
That is because not all space heaters are created equally. If not manufactured properly, they pose great fire and burn hazards. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 25,000 homes catch on fire because of space heaters. This results in more than 300 deaths and over 6,000 victims needing to go to the hospital for burn injuries. If individuals sustained burn injuries because of their space heaters, they may be eligible for compensation.
DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND BURN INJURIES
Often, no matter how well you follow the safety suggestions, you may still be burned because of a space heater. If the manufacturer is negligent when producing the product or if the heater has a faulty design, fire hazards and injuries are inevitable. Unfortunately, not even the most careful consumer can avoid the risks that dangerous space heaters pose.
Common dangers of space heaters include:
- Space heater short circuiting
- Overheating leads to melting parts
- Unit can catch on fire
- Heater's screws may detach and cause the danger of electrical shock
There are thousands of space heating units sold every year. Of these units, many have been recalled because of the potential for fires and burns they may cause. The CPSC sent out a list that marked some of the most dangerous space heaters.
The CPSC's list include the following units:
- Twin-Star's Duraflame Electric Space Heaters
- Vornado Air's Electric Space Heaters
- Lifesmart's Lifepro Brand Portable Mini Space Heaters
- Dyson's Bladeless Portable Electric Heaters
It is important that space heaters undergo safety checks and receive the Underwriter's Laboratories' approval. If these basic safety precautions have not been met, manufacturers and retailers should be held responsible for putting their consumers are risk. If you or a loved one has been injured or burned because of a faulty space heater, our San Antonio burn injury attorneys are ready to help!
SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR HOME
While the manufacturers must produce safe devices for you to use, we want you to be as safe as possible. That is why our attorneys list some safety tips you can follow at home to minimize the risks of a fire or burn injuries.
Some safety tips include:
- Keep flammable products away from the heater.
- Keep heater off carpets and furniture.
- Do not plug into an overloaded outlet.
- Do not leave heater unattended.
- Keep heater away from children and pets.
- Put 3 feet of space between the heater and other household objects.
At Wyatt Law Firm, our San Antonio burn accident attorneys understand how painful and frustrating burn injuries can be. This is made all the worst when the risks were unavoidable. If you or a loved one was harmed because of a defective space heater, contact our burn injury lawyers today for a free consultation. We will aggressively fight for your rights and ensure that you are represented in best light in court. Call today!