Patio heaters undoubtedly extend comfort to a home or business, but concerns about safety may deter some buyers. Many top-quality gas and propane patio heaters have no open flames or glowing parts. Therefore, they can be a perfectly safe option as long as the owner follows some simple safety considerations. Here are some tips on how to safely use your patio heater.
Appropriate Placement
Buyers should seek professional assistance in installing their patio heater. The installer should check the manufacturer’s recommended clearance distance to ensure nothing is placed unreasonably close to the unit. Nothing should be placed on top of or touching the heater, nor should curtains or other draping items be near enough that they could potentially blow onto the heater.
The patio heater should be installed in an area where it will not be affected by high winds and potentially fall. Items in the surrounding area should also be well-secured so that weather changes do not cause these items to fall onto the patio heater and cause damage.
Proper Fuel Handling
Most buyers will opt for propane and natural gas heaters since they emit a great deal of heat. While a gas heater does not equate to more safety concerns, you still need to take into account some basic fuel handling procedures.
If a propane tank is used, it should be turned off when not in use. Additional propane tanks should be stored away from open flames and heat sources. All necessary steps should be followed when replacing a tank, such as putting soapy water on the components to check for air bubbles. Patio heaters should be placed at a reasonable distance from the indoors to avoid toxic fumes from entering a home or business.
Fuel connections should always be handled by trained professionals.
Good Stabilization
Portable mushroom heaters are more prone to falling, as the dome acts as an umbrella to catch the wind and can be easily knocked over. Buyers can avoid this issue by purchasing a heater that can be mounted to a ceiling, trellis, or wall of a building. This permanent heat source ensures that the heater stays in a safe location, as opposed to portable heaters that can pose new safety risks every time they are moved.
Overhead mounted heaters offer few stabilization concerns. Owners of these units should simply check the tightness of the nuts and bolts on the mounting kit every few months.
Child Protection
Patio heater owners should establish clear rules if there are children in the home or business. As a general rule, no children should be allowed to turn the heater on or off. If propane tanks are utilized to feed the heater, or if extras are kept on hand, they should be well-secured and off-limits to children.
Regular Maintenance
Purchasing a patio heater that is made of high quality, heavy-duty materials also means that it will be virtually maintenance-free. Even so, a patio heater that is free of dirt and debris will perform better, emit more heat, and ensure the safety of the unit.
While it is uncommon, outdoor heater gas pipes can become clogged. Therefore, you should check and clear the gas pipe at least once per season. This is as simple as removing the pipe and blowing air through it.
Overall, patio heaters come with few safety concerns if owners follow some basic protocols. The majority of safety concerns are eliminated if buyers opt for a wall or ceiling mounted patio heater. Calcana Patio Heaters offers top-quality patio heaters with the choice of high or standard output. Contact us today to learn more.
