Lately, the weather has gone from hot to cold and cold to hot.But soon the winter season will replace the fall weather.
When the cold weather arrives, some students may feel extraclothing may not be enough and may want extra heat.
But officials are encouraging students to think twice beforeusing a space heater to warm up their chilly bedrooms.
Officials from The University of Memphis Physical Plantdiscourage the use of space heaters in all campus facilities,especially in residence halls.
Drew Schmitz, Physical Plant communication specialist, saidhaving many appliances plugged in to one socket could cause a poweroutage.
"Space heaters draw a heavy electrical load, and when otheroccupants are using electronics such as toaster ovens andmicrowaves, the circuits often times cannot handle what is requiredand will blow," he said.
The U of M student handbook discourages the use of normalhousehold extension cords, especially when used with high amperageequipment like space heaters.
In place of the household extension cords, the handbookrecommends the use of power strips with built-in circuit breakersand heavy duty, three-wire extension cords.
Residents may not possess or use any device that produces anopen flame or noxious odor, including candles, incense, potpourri,kerosene lamps or smoking substances that produce substantialodors, according to the student handbook.
Space heaters provide secondary heating using natural gas,electricity or kerosene. Some space heaters are meant to bepermanent installations while others are portable.
However, it is not recommended to use any un-vented natural gasor space heater, due to concerns of carbon monoxide and oxygendepletion. Space heaters also may cause fires, natural gas leaks,carbon monoxide poisoning and electric shocks.
Schmitz said space heaters can be useful, but in the case ofdorm residences, they are not recommended.
"Because of the dangers and life-safety issues, the use of spaceheaters are discouraged," he said.
