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I wouldn't trust a toddler around any heater. But if you have to have one, I recommend this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TTSXNI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I bought it a few months ago, and right now, MY heat doesn't work so it's keeping my whole apartment warm. (And sadly, doing a better job than the real HVAC system ever did.) It has a tip off switch, overheating switch, and a cool-to-the-touch case. The front does get warm, but not hot enough to blister your hand at a single touch. Hot enough you don't want to leave your hand on it for sure, but not hot enough to do instant damage. I think it's about as "kid safe" as a heater could be, and while I imagine the kid could pull it over, at least it wouldn't start a fire or scorch the kid if she did.

The fact it rotates makes it very good at covering an area, if you have a tight space, you can turn the rotation off and it'll wedge nicely in a space a half a foot across.

I think my apartment is around 900 square feet, and it's done a perfect job

The one warning I'd give is that you need to let it "burn off" whatever the heck they coat it with at the factory. It'll stink up a storm at first. I set it out on the porch and let it run for a day or so at first, got rid of the stink.

As to legal repercussions... start here: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/florida/renting/tenantrights

Thanks, Gael for the recommendation. It does look much safer than what we have. I am checking into the other link and seeing what recourse I have. I do know that legally, I can't be evicted for complaining.

We live in a northern state, in an old house with crappy insulation, and my favorite space heater is like this one: http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EW7707CB-Safeheat-ComforTemp-Oil-Filled/dp/B002PLQ4T8/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1452642869&sr=1-1&keywords=portable+radiator+oil-filled but not actually that one. (I think my husband picked the one we have up at Home Depot or something.) It's very heavy, very stable, and while it does get warm to the touch, enough to discourage playing with while it's on, but definitely not burn-hot. My two year old pretty much leaves it alone, except to occasionally push the buttons on the front to turn it on or off (mostly off.) He's less interested in it than in the electronic blower-style which has more buttons that glow, anyway.

(Arguably NO space heater is 100% child-proof, but you gotta do what you gotta do.)

Just to update things a bit.

The landlord didn't factor in the big gun, as in his own mother lol. She was out here at the property when we returned from Home Depot where we had gone to see if they had what we wanted in stock. They were out of stock, btw. She said she would see what she could do about getting the heat fixed. It helps that she absolutely adores my daughter too. So we ordered off Amazon what we wanted - what Gael recommended, since it seemed rather safe for a toddler - automatic shut off if tipped over. Boyfriend has Prime, so we'll be able to get it delivered by the end of this week.

I don't have kids, but I have used an infrared heater for my main source of heat for the last 6, 7 years. I don't remember the brand name, but it's very similar to this one. Cool to the touch, has a tip over switch. I can't stand the smell and feel of central heating. Or car heating either lol. But I love the infrared.

If you find a space heater for, say a workshop or garage, they have ones that you can hang on the wall, up high, away from little hands. We use them in our rabbit barns, and bunnies will escape every now and again, so having them up high has been such a blessing.