Portable heaters are handy whenever you want a quick and easy way to heat your space during fall or winter. One standout brand is Mr. Heater; many love their “Buddy Heaters.” However, as they are run on propane, some worry about the safety of using them indoors. So, are Mr. Heater Buddy heaters safe to use indoors?
Mr. Heater Buddy’s portable propane heaters can be safely used indoors. Mr. Heater Buddy heaters have low oxygen sensors that shut the heater off when carbon monoxide is produced. Still, it pays to be cautious, and you should take precautionary measures when using a propane heater indoors regardless of brand and reputation.
Propane heaters have come under fire, so to speak, regarding their safety indoors. However, like any portable heater, Buddy Heaters are not dangerous to use indoors if used safely. Here is everything you need to know about Mr. Heater Buddy’s safety.
Do Mr. Heater Buddy Heaters Produce Carbon Monoxide?
There have been reports about how propane heaters can be dangerous indoors because they produce carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas. While not lethal in small amounts, carbon monoxide can be dangerous when it is too abundant in the space around you.
That’s why people trapped in a burning building can suffocate due to carbon monoxide poisoning, even if they could keep themselves away from the flames.
So, in that regard, do Buddy propane heaters produce carbon monoxide? Yes, they do because carbon monoxide is a byproduct of when certain sources that produce flames are burned, including wood, oil, coal, and propane.
Because Buddy heaters run on propane, they are sure to produce carbon monoxide like any other propane heater on the market.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious concern because it can be fatal. The leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is inhaling too much carbon monoxide produced by engines and appliances that burn substances such as wood, oil, coal, and propane.
That’s why anything that involves burning these substances or producing smoke should generally be done outdoors rather than indoors. At the very least, there should be a quick way of ventilating the smoke out of the space.
Going back to the topic – yes – Buddy heaters do indeed produce carbon monoxide. However, the difference lies in how Buddy portable propane heaters are made and designed.
Are Mr. Heater Buddy Heaters Safe To Use Indoors?
Many propane heaters get criticized. This type of heater has a bad reputation among some consumers because the carbon monoxide they emit can be dangerous when it reaches lethal levels.
A family in Ohio died when their water heater leaked too much carbon monoxide. People are now becoming warier about portable propane heaters like Mr. Heater’s ones.
Usually, you are advised not to use propane heaters indoors because the gas might stay in the room and take up the space that should be occupied by oxygen. So, in most cases, it is advised that you use propane heaters outdoors or in a room with a method to ventilate carbon monoxide out.
Regardless of what propane heater you are using, ensuring that the room is adequately ventilated is one of the most critical aspects of using a propane heater.
Correct ventilation ensures that the carbon monoxide doesn’t build up to dangerous levels and that you can maintain the cleanliness of the air you breathe.
So, generally speaking, propane heaters are supposed to be safe for you to use indoors, and no one will tell you never to use them indoors. You only have to ensure that you are using them in a ventilated space to allow air to move freely in and out of the room or house.
But what makes Buddy heaters stand out compared to the other propane heaters on the market is that they are a lot safer indoors. The reason is that Mr. Heater Buddy heaters come equipped with detectors that can detect oxygen levels in the immediate surrounding.
When the detector notices that the oxygen levels are dropping and carbon monoxide levels are nearing dangerous levels, the Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater will automatically shut off.
Because of that feature, Buddy heaters are considered perfectly safe for indoor use regardless of whether the room or the house has proper ventilation. The propane heater shuts off when it detects that it is no longer safe to operate.
But the fact that Buddy propane heaters are generally safer to use than most other propane heaters on the market should not be an excuse for you to disregard proper safety measures when using them.
It is still highly advisable for you to use Buddy propane heaters in a ventilated space indoors to ensure that you stay safe regardless of whether or not the propane heater automatically shuts off. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your and your family’s welfare.
Is It Safe To Use A Mr. Heater Buddy Heater In A Tent?
If you are camping out, the outdoor woods can become too cold for you to handle, especially at night. In many cases, campers use campfires to keep themselves warm at night. But you can’t bring campfires inside a tent. That’s why there are heaters that are built to be used for those who are camping.
So, is it safe for you to use a Mr. Heater Buddy heater inside a tent when you are sleeping outdoors on one of your camping trips? Of course, it is.
As mentioned, Buddy heaters are built with safety mechanisms that will shut the heater off when the oxygen in the immediate surroundings gets too low. Of course, tents are supposed to be built with enough ventilation so that you can breathe while you are sleeping in one.
Still, there are some safety measures you must follow if you are using a propane heater inside a tent. For one, it is best to keep the Buddy heater off the ground by standing it on something solid so it won’t end up melting the tent.
For the same reason, make sure that you keep it away from the tent’s corners and walls by placing it somewhere in the middle. And finally, it is best to maintain a bit of an opening so that the carbon monoxide will have a way to be released outside.
Can You Use A Mr. Heater Buddy Heater In A Camper?
So, if you are staying in the great outdoors, instead of using a tent, you are using a camper, is it still safe to use a Buddy heater?
If it is safe to use the heater while in a tent, you would think it is just as safe to use it while you are inside a camper because campers are generally larger and built better than tents.
However, the problem with many campers is that they tend to be more closed off for security reasons. Even though Buddy heaters are built with oxygen detectors that will shut the heater off if oxygen levels get too low, it is still best to leave a small opening inside your camper to not worry about carbon monoxide poisoning.
