October 2015 Moms

Space Heaters

Just out of curiosity.

I was planning on getting a space heater for the nursery since we run off of oil (aka ridiculously expensive and we tend to keep the house cooler, anyway). I was about to get one that stays cool to the touch over the entire device, turns off if knocked over, has a built in thermostat, etc. over all just really kid safe (lots of research looking trying to pick one). Well, I walk into the early child care class and she says "Do. Not. Put a space heater in the nursery. Ever. PLEASE."

I obviously wasn't thinking a run of the mill one which would be dangerous for a baby once he's on the move. I was just wondering if there was something about space heaters over all that I'm missing off of my checklist or if she just lumped them all together, maybe not realizing the ones you can get now, a couple things she said WERE outdated during the class. 

I feel stupid like I should know this, maybe I'm just being naive about the situation. Anyways, just looking for some feedback on this and maybe find out what other mamas have done (especially others with cold climates and old buildings, haha).

Thanks! 

Re: Space Heaters

  • Our house is 100 years old and so drafty. I couldn't stomach putting the space heater in my sons nursery because I am so paranoid. Needless to say, we won't with this baby either. We will use lots of layers and keep the heat at its normal temperature.
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  • Look up eden pure heaters. That's what we use, it's not like your traditional space heater and is really safe. Our daughter (13 months) likes to stick her fingers in it and it doesn't burn her or harm her in any way (we tell her no and direct her attention to something else, so it's not like she always does that!)
  • I second the Eden pure heater. We live in a 100 year old farm house with really inefficient heating and use one in the master bedroom. Ours was purchased from Sears about three years ago and still works wonderfully. It was a little expensive but worth it.

    My parents heat their home with wood burners however the heat does not travel throughout the whole house very well. Growing up my brother and I always had a space heater in our bedrooms. We would go through a new one every few years as they would stop working from so much use. These were the smaller ones that my mom made sure we're safe (tipping over shuts them off, don't run continuously, cool to the touch, etc). She still was paranoid about them and we still had issues with them. One got too hot once and melted the plastic backing. One when plugged in would spark in the electrical outlet.

    I would definitely look into the Eden pure if you can!!
  • The reason they are dangerous is not only because of the heat they put off, but also the energy they consume. Even the ones that are safer have a much higher likelihood of shorting out and are a fire hazard, not only from the heater themselves, but also from the electrical outlet.

    Also, my husband was doing some research into those space heater fireplaces (I know they aren't the same thing, but something else to research) and apparently they can give off small amounts of carbon monoxide--some how has to do with the way the coils create heat.

    If you do end up using one, just be smart about it--don't put it near the crib and don't put it between the crib and door or between crib and window (in case there is a fire, there is nothing between you and her or you and the exits.).
  • We use a Infared heater. Duraflame I think. The don't get hot. They don't really blow out lots of heat. They heat surrounding things instead of the air. Mine is on casters that can lock. If tipped over it shuts off immediately. I also know people with an Eden pure. They are awesome, but they've had to have theirs repairers several times.
  • Thanks for the input ladies! I was so confused and second guessing my mommy instincts to put one in there, but the windows which are shut are never really shut, ALL the cold air gets in (gotta love New England!). But with technology these days I knew there had to be a safe compromise.

    Thanks again for the responses! 
  • I live in NYC and while it's not as cold as NE but it gets brick some nights. I had a small space heater I got from target for less than $20 but I also sealed the windows with insulating plastic, which was also less than $20. It had this thing that if it got colder than 75degrees in his room it would shut off so it never ran all night.
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