Heaters Don't Belong in Your Jammies

We'd like you to meet Marvin and D-Wayne, our new cartoon safety characters drawn by our favorite children's book author, Keith Graves of Austin. They will be teaching electric safety, mostly through silly and dangerous behavior. Think of them as "Dumb and Dumber" when it comes to electricity. They will give you tips on what NOT to do.

Don't be like Marvin and D-Wayne. You can help make sure your family's electric space heaters are used safely this winter. Check to see if these safety rules are being followed.

Ask your parents if you have a space heater. The older ones look like this:

If you have a heater, check it for safety without touching it.

Are there at least three feet of safe empty space between the heater and anything that could catch fire? (To measure three feet, ask a grownup to let you use a yardstick; a yard is three feet.)
Yes
No

Are things made of fabric (like curtains, furniture, carpeting or clothes) three feet from the heater?
Yes
No

Are things made of paper (like wallpaper, books or newspapers) three feet from the heater?
Yes
No

Do pets and people stay at least three feet from the heater?
Yes
No

Has your family removed items hanging over the heater that could fall and catch fire?
Yes
No

Does your space heater have a tip-over switch that shuts it off automatically if it accidentally turns over?
Yes
No

Is the heater turned off when everyone leaves the room or goes to bed?
Yes
No

Is the heater turned off if only young children are going to be in the room?
Yes
No

If you answered "yes" to all these questions, you are using space heaters safely. If you answered "no" to any questions, bring those to your parents' attention.

Marvin and D-Wayne can teach us all some important lessons if we use their adventures as an example of what NOT to do! Always play it safe around electricity!

Comments about the magazine? E-mail Editor Kaye Northcott at kayen@texas-ec.org ©2004 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.