5 Safety Tips to Follow When Using a Heat Gun

Does your job require you to use a heat gun? If so, there are certain safety tips you should follow to minimize your risk of injury. Heat guns can get hot. Depending on the particular type -- as well as the setting -- they may reach temperatures of 500 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That's more than enough heat to cause serious burns. Below are five essential safety tips to follow when using a heat gun.

#1) Keep Away From Flammable and Combustible Materials

Before using a heat gun, make sure there are no flammable or combustible materials nearby. Heat guns can ignite flammable and combustible materials. Cleaning chemicals, for instance, may ignite if you accidentally point a heat gun at them. Therefore, you should keep the heat gun away from all flammable and combustible materials.

#2) Use in a Ventilated Environment 

You should only use heat guns in a well-ventilated environment. Many of them are powered by gas. As the gas heats up, heat guns will release a beam of concentrated hot air. A byproduct of this process, however, is fumes, some of which can be harmful. To err on the side of caution, you should use heat guns in a well-ventilated environment. You can use them outdoors. If you're going to use a heat gun indoors, you should make sure the space is well-ventilated.

#3) Inspect the Housing

You should also inspect the heat gun's housing. The housing is the frame. It serves as the shell while enclosing all of the heat gun's internal parts. If the housing is cracked or otherwise damaged, don't use the heat gun. A cracked or damaged housing may allow hot air to leak. And exposure to this hot air could result in a serious burn.

#4) Don't Obstruct the Nozzle

Never obstruct the nozzle of a heat gun. All heat guns have a nozzle. It's the tip of a heat gun, and it's the part that releases heat. Obstructing the nozzle means that heat won't be able to escape out of the heat gun. Hot air may build up inside of the heat gun to the point where it explodes. If you're going to use a heat gun, make sure the nozzle is open and unobstructed at all times.

#5) Wait for It to Cool

After using a heat gun, wait for it to cool before placing it in storage. Heat guns will remain hot for several hours. Immediately storing a heat gun after using it could result in a fire. By waiting for it to cool, you can prevent this from happening.