• Examples of pipes leading to a water heater.plumbing image by Inger Anne Hulb?|kdal from Fotolia.com
  
  Water heaters are a a common appliance in many households. A large house often has even more than one water heater. While a water heater is a modern convenience, it can pose safety hazards to you and your family. Use caution and be aware of how your water heater works, whether it's run by gas or electricity, to reduce the risk of fire or health hazards.
  
  

Clear Area

• Make sure that the area around your water heater is clear and completely free of any potentially flammable objects such as gasoline, wood, insulation and fabrics. Water heaters can become very hot, creating a potential fire hazard. Keep the area around the heater well ventilated. For water heaters that are in a common place such as a laundry room, you may choose to surround the water heater with fire-proof insulation to protect you and your family from coming into contact with the hot elements of the heater.
  
  

Alarm

• If your water heater uses gas to operate, install a working carbon monoxide alarm near the heater. This alarm will let you and your family know if the pilot light on your heater goes out, releasing gas into the air, or if a leak in the pipes occurs, creating a potentially hazardous situation. Test your carbon monoxide alarm every six months to ensure functionality. Replace the batteries in your alarm when you test it.
  
  

Temperature

• No matter whether your water heater runs on gas or electric, there should be a temperature control located within easy reach. Set the temperature to a moderate degree to help prevent the heater from becoming over worked and potentially causing a fire hazard.