Lots of people are turning to outdoor patio heaters so they may enjoy their backyard patio or deck even when the weather turns cold. Inasmuch as propane patio heaters involve connecting to a propane tank to generate a flame that produces high heat, should one be concerned with their safety?

You should not be considering an outdoor patio heater if you want perfect guaranteed safety. For the same reason, you should not purchase any kind of electric or gas appliance, furnace, hot water heater or similar product. Gas or electric powered cars? Better to saddle a horse.

Guaranteed safety does not exist in anything, outdoor patio heaters and horses included. As with any appliance, machine or device, safety ultimately is determined by the way we use it. Common sense precautions, such as those presented here, will help ensure the safe enjoyment of your patio heater for many years.

20-pound propane tanks are most commonly used to fuel this type of patio heater, the same tank often used to fuel the flame on a bar-be-cue grill. First of all, you may take comfort in the fact that it takes a great deal of effort to blow up a propane tank. They are virtually indestructable.

The connections between a patio heater and propane tank should receive more attention, because if they are faulty, a gas leak may result. A burning flame, no matter how it is fueled, also should demand attention. This is not to say that old rusted, dented or otherwise damaged propane cylinders, valves, collars or footings should ever be used. They should not, because of the increased likelihood of a gas leak.

Do not hesitate if there is a gaseous odor. Turn the gas off and extinguish the flame. If you continue to smell gas, you would be smart to call your gas supplier or fire department. They know how to correct the situation and ensure safety.

There are other perhaps more reliable ways to test for gas leaks than checking for odors. For example, if you open the gas valve and spread soapy water over places where the hose connects to the propane cylinder and heater, a gas leak will show itself in the form of bubbles. Other methods may be recommended by the manufacturer. Definitely do not ignore guidelines and instructions in the owner’s manual.

Checking for leaks using a match or lighter is not a recommendation you will find in any owner’s manual. Either is smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. If you are not sure why, please advise your friends and family so they may wait in the street.

Even though better manufacturers check factory connections for leaks, parts can loosen as a result of movement during shipping. Make up your mind to take the time to double-check every connection. Also, most patio heaters require at least some assembly, so take whatever time is needed to do a good job.

Be sure to complete all assembly steps and not to force parts together. If assembling appliances is not your cup of tea, this would be a good time to offer a cup to someone who has the right skill set.

Just because some homes have an indoor fireplace does not mean that it is safe to operate an outdoor patio heater indoors. The big difference, of course, is ventilation. Fireplaces have chimneys that serve to control and expel unhealthy biproducts of the fire. An outdoor patio heater does not come with a chimney. In fact, propane patio heaters produce carbon monoxide, which means nothing if the heater is outdoors on the patio or deck. Inside in an enclosed area, however, carbon monixide can accumulate and take your life.

Another common sense precaution is to keep things away from the heater that could catch fire. Clothing, paper products, toys, the siding on your house, shrubs and other vegetation are all examples of things you should keep at least three feet from the heater. If the manufacturer recommends greater clearance than that, then follow those guidelines. For instance, materials such as gasoline, paint, and other flammable liquids and vapors require far greater clearance.

The surface around the patio heater’s dome and burner becomes extremely hot. Temperatures approaching 1600 Fahrenheit are possible on the heater’s emitter.

Alert everyone, therefore, of the high temperature, especially children. Set clear boundaries for not touching or getting too close to the heater. Then, listen to your own advice, such as not trying to move a patio heater while it is in operation. As you may expect, leaving a patio heater unattended while it is lit just does not make sense.

Quality made patio heaters are equipped with automatic shut-off switches that turn them off should they tilt. That will not eliminate every undesirable thing that could happen should the unit topple. To really be safe, do not use the heater if winds exceed 10 mph. Also, make sure the unit is sitting on a hard, level and stable surface.

If you are the person planning to operate and supervise its use, and you have read this far, the original question about the safety of a propane patio heater may now be answered with some confidence. Industry standards and expanded regulations pretty much ensure this product is safe coming out of the box. That you are safety conscious and willing to learn common sense precautions should ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for many years.

Chris Basher is recognized as an authority on outdoor patio heaters , fire pits, outdoor patio fireplaces, and other backyard products. He is the owner of www.FirePitNow.com, a unique Internet place to find these and similar products. For other valuable, free information regarding outdoor patio heaters and similar items, take a moment to check out his website.