This Montana Staple Could Be The Most Dangerous Home Gadget

Ah, winter in Montana. The snow-covered peaks, the ski days, the cozy fire at home—it's picturesque, no doubt. But as temperatures drop to bone-chilling lows, Montanans are likely pulling out their secret winter weapon: the space heater collecting dust in the closet.

Sure, these little heat sources keep your toes warm or come in handy if the office thermostat is not under your control, but they come with risks you may not be aware of.

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Every Year, space heaters are responsible for house fires and have recently been discovered as the cause of health problems. So, before you plug in that tiny furnace, let's chat about the dos and don'ts of using space heaters.

Toasted Skin Syndrome

While putting your legs in front of a space heater seems harmless, doing it day after day can cause a skin rash called erythema ab igne.

Erythema ab igne causes a web-like pattern of redness or hyperpigmentation that can also cause pain, burning, and itching. It looks like a giant red spider web on your body.

Can Toasted Skin Syndrome be Cured?

Treatment means getting rid of the heat source, and mild cases usually resolve in a couple of months. In extreme cases, it can last for years, remain permanently, or in rare instances cause cancer.

Portable Heaters Could Burn Your House Down

I have almost had my house burn down due to a space heater accident and it was because I did one of the BIG DON'TS...  

DON'T plug your space heater into an extension cord or power strip. It can cause an overload of electricity and catch on fire. Other things to keep in mind... DON'T put heaters in front of drapes, clothes, furniture, or anything unless it's three or more feet away.

"CPSC estimates that portable heaters, including electric space heaters, were involved in an average of 1,700 fires per year, resulting in an average of 70 deaths and 160 injuries annually from 2017 to 2019." - The US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Stay Safe and warm out there my friends but remember to keep a close eye on those portable heaters. Let's make sure we stay warm without any worries!

Credit: Salinasun , cps.gov , the-sun , uab.edu