Space Heater Safety

Whether working as your main heating source or supplementing a central heating system, space heaters make a great addition to homes during cold weather. Cost-effective and fast-heating, portable space heaters allow versatile heat production where you need it most  but incorrect usage can lead to catastrophic consequences.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that home heating equipment is responsible for most house fires in the United States, and that space heaters account for more than 2 in 5 of those heating fires. Space heaters are also responsible for over 81% of heating fire deaths.

As frightening as those numbers are, it doesnt have to be this way. With a plethora of electric space heaters available, knowing what safety features to consider and how to properly operate your heater are the first steps you can take towards preventing heating equipment fires. Let P.C. Richard & Son help you make an informed decision for your home heating solutions.

Benefits of Space Heaters

No matter your circumstances, a portable space heater can work wonders to keep you warm during the coldest days of the year. Consider the following benefits of investing in a space heater for your home.

• Portability: Small, lightweight, and often featuring easy-grip handles, electric heaters are highly portable and easy to store. From the bedroom to the living room, your garage to your home office, a portable design lets you easily move your space heater where you need it most.
• Affordability: Relatively inexpensive and highly efficient, space heaters can be cost-effective alternatives to central heating or serve as supplemental additions to heat specific spaces for less.
• Simple to Use: Straightforward to operate and maintain, space heaters allow for greater control of your home heating solutions. Models with built-in thermostats let you control the temperature as you wish.

Types of Electric Space Heaters

Whether used indoors or out, space heaters provide a much-needed benefit to homeowners and renters alike. When it comes to indoor heaters, there are a few different types of space heaters for you to consider, each with their own benefits that may better serve you and your needs.

• Fan-Forced Heater: Fans push out the heat produced by electric-powered coil heating wire. Theyre good for smaller areas that need an instant heat source.
• Oil-Filled Heaters: Heated oil runs through these heaters to radiate heat into rooms, sometimes long after they are turned off.
• Infrared Heaters: Electromagnetic waves help transfer heat directly from the heater to people and objects. Infrared heaters operate on electricity, and some models use infrared lightbulbs.
• Ceramic Heaters: Ceramic heating plates absorb heat from metal coils powered by electricity. Some models come with fans that blow the heat out into the room, while other models radiate heat into space.

As another option, indoor propane heaters can provide a cost-effective, highly portable heating source that reliably heats your home even during a power outage. However, this option does present some risks, and may not be ideal for all customers. Instead, to ensure that your electric space heater works even in a power outage, consider a back-up generator to measure up to the task.

Safety Features to Prioritize

When shopping for a space heater, considering space heater safety features is crucial. UL certification lets you know the heaters are tested for safety and include features to help reduce fire risk. Look for models with key built-in safety features to help ensure the wellbeing of you and your loved ones, including:

• Tip-Over Shutoff Switches
• Overheating Detectors
• Shutoff Timers
• Long Cords

Automatic shutoff features like tip-over switches and overheating protection ensure your heater turns off if it's knocked over or becomes too hot to help alleviate fire danger. Timers let you program a shutoff time in case you unexpectedly fall asleep, while long cords make it possible to safely position your space heater while plugging into a wall outlet without the use of extension cords that pose increased fire danger.

Space Heater Safety Tips

Safety is of the utmost importance in all aspects of life, and your home heating solutions are no different. Are space heaters safe? They can be. And knowing how to use a space heater safely can ensure you keep your family safe during cold weather while avoiding catastrophic accidents.

Purchase the Right Equipment

• Choose newer models designed with updated safety features to help make your home more secure. Find models with longer cords, automatic shutoffs, and overheat detectors.
• Never use outdoor heaters indoors. Many outdoor models can release harmful gasses and need to be well ventilated. Use your space heater as intended.
• Ensure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are up to date and effectively running.

Be Attentive

• Always tend to your space heater. Leaving it on and unattended to leave the room or go to sleep can result in catastrophic consequences.
• Keep space heaters three or more feet away from flammable objects, people, and pets.
• Avoid use in high-moisture areas like the bathroom or the kitchen, as they can increase risks of fire and electrocution.
• Space heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet, with that outlet reserved specifically for the space heater. Dont plug your heater into a surge protector, extension cord, or anything else that can overheat and spark a flame.

Ensure Proper Placement

• Avoid placing your space heater on tables, chairs, or other potentially unstable surfaces to reduce their risk of falling.
• Place your heater on the floor, avoiding rugs or carpets as they may be especially prone to trapping heat and catching fire.
• Do not block a doorway or potential exit with a space heater.
• Place space heaters in locations that dont see much traffic to avoid tripping over a cord or knocking the heater out.
• When you are no longer using your space heater, always turn it off, unplug it, let it cool, and store it safely out of the reach of pets and children.

Space Heater FAQs

Is it Safe to Use a Space Heater Overnight?

Avoid keeping a space heater on overnight while you sleep. While modern space heaters have increased safety features to help mitigate risk, the surest way to avoid catastrophic consequences will be by turning off and unplugging your space heater before you go to bed. With dropping temperatures, consider heavier bedding like blankets, comforters, and base layers for a comfy, safe nights sleep.

Can I Plug My Space Heater into a Surge Protector?

Space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Avoid plugging your space heater into anything that is not a wall outlet, including surge protectors or extension cords. Look for portable space heaters with longer cords to make positioning them easier for optimal heat while avoiding the added fire danger.

Are Space Heaters Safe in the Bathroom?

Space heaters should not be used in bathrooms or other areas where they can be exposed to high moisture. Although some models allow for use in bathrooms and similar spaces, most do not. Play it safe and avoid high moisture areas. Check your manufacturers instructions before use.

What is the Safest Heater to Leave Unattended?

Heaters should not be left unattended. Manufacturers are improving space heater designs to make them safer, but the best way to ensure safety for you and your loved ones is by actively tending to your space heater whenever it is in use.

Can Space Heaters Give Off Carbon Monoxide?

Yes, a space heater can give off carbon monoxide if it is a fuel-burning space heater. Electric space heaters and other common indoor space heaters do not give off carbon monoxide but do pose other safety risks themselves. Be sure to read your devices instructions to get the safest use out of your model.

Electric space heaters can provide cost-effective, portable supplemental heat solutions to help give your home a warm and comfortable feel during chilly weather. However, they also pose a few risks every potential user should be wary of. Make sure to purchase a new space heater appropriate for indoor use with special safety features to help mitigate risk, and never leave a space heater unattended. Learning how to use a space heater safely along with increased protection and vigilant safety precautions are the keys to electric space heater safety, helping you keep your loved ones safe from heater fires.