It’s smart to ask yourself the question, “Are patio heaters safe?”. It’s something your family, kids, and pets can all take comfort under on a chilly night. However, there are concerns you should have when using them. They are a great resource if you enjoy the outdoors, you already have a nice outdoor space, and you don’t want to have to stop using it when it gets cold or windy outside. They can easily extend your enjoyment of your porch or deck by months, but there are considerations you must make in order to be safe. They aren’t fun toys you throw out on the deck and use indiscriminately.
For starters, heaters are hot. You’re thinking that’s obvious and that may be an over-simplification, but they’re extremely hot and they cannot be touched for any reason. Children and pets especially must be very careful around them because they may not understand that they cannot touch them. Letting the kids and pets play inside while the grown-ups enjoy a drink outside may be a better option for you.
Plus, the heaters tend to look benign to your guests, and they may casually lean up against them. Again, a very bad idea. If you must, you may want to put a fun little sign near the unit that alerts people to not touch it. As much as you may enjoy it you have to make sure everyone knows that it is not a toy or a signpost.
The heater is also not the place to dry things. Whether you’re trying to dry a book, a towel from the pool, or a shirt you splashed while you were watering the plants, you simply cannot dry fabric and papers there. Anything that is flammable cannot be left near the unit when it’s operating.
Because they produce so much heat, any flammable object that is left unattended could catch fire. It may be a wise decision to add to your sign and remind yourself (and your guests) that it is not a clothing line or book rack.
Be sure to keep the unit on a flat surface and don’t use it when there are very high winds. If it is knocked over it could start a fire, and if the flame is blown out gas fumes will escape (and that is also quite dangerous.) It’s easy to forget that you’re dealing with an open flame. Please, treat the flame with respect.
For a more common sense approach, do not attempt to use your heater indoors. It is meant to heat an open area and it is very dangerous to have that much energy trapped in an enclosed space. In fact, leaving it indoors at all is not the best of ideas. Simply keep it covered outside and away from chemicals that you may use in the backyard. You can think of it more as a decorative piece that creates heat than an appliance you can move about the property.
Let’s answer the “burning question”. Yes, patio heaters are safe. You just have to use your better judgment in keeping hands off, the unit outdoors, and in an area where it can’t be knocked down. You can truly enjoy your heater as long as you use it safely.