As winter sets in and cold weather starts to grip the country, lots of us break out a space heater to keep our home and office warm. While a portable space heater is a great way to supplement heating costs, it also poses a serious fire damage risk. Fire officials say space heaters are one of the largest fire hazards , especially if they are used in the wrong way. So, what should you not do with a space heater? And how do you use a space heater the right way to avoid starting a fire? A lot of it boils down to where the space heater is placed in a room, and how it connects to a power source. For more information, read on—you’ll find the answers here.
Common Types of Space Heaters
There are several different types of space heaters, all with unique features and styles. Which one might be right for you? Or, if you already have one, which is sitting beside you? The National Fire Protection Association says there are four common types of electric space heaters :
- Oil or water-filled radiator
- Fan-forced heater
- Ceramic heater
- Infrared heater
Furthermore, the New York Department of Public Health details several other types of space heaters :
- Portable kerosene heater
- Unvented gas heater
- Vented gas heater
Each type of space heater requires a specific method of use, following a detailed safety guide. Keep in mind, that you should be cautious when using kerosene space heaters because they can emit carbon monoxide .
So, which of these handy machines do you have? Look at your own and read up on the safety instructions and operational guide, so you can be sure you’re warming up safely no matter the season.
Space Heater Statistics
The numbers are troublesome. According to the NFPA:
- 48% of home heating fires occur during winter .
- Between 2015 and 2019, an average of 45,800 home heating fires took place.
- This caused approximately 480 deaths, 1,350 injuries, and $1 billion in property damage, according to the U.S. Home Structure Fires Report .
- Home heating equipment (including space heaters) is the second leading cause of fires and injuries in the United States.
- Home heating equipment (including space heaters) is the third leading cause of property damage and deaths.
- Space heaters cause two in five fires. They are also responsible for most home heating equipment fire deaths (81%) and injuries (80%).
Space Heater Safety Tips
Like any machine, there are risks to using a space heater. While it is easy to snuggle up under a blanket in your living room, pop in a movie, and crank on your space heater, beware of falling asleep or leaving the room entirely to go to bed. For one, space heaters should be turned off at night , according to the New York Times’s Wirecutter blog, especially when no one is present to monitor it.
But that’s not all. To help minimize your chances of space heater fires and damaged equipment, the NFPA and New York Times recommend the following tips when operating a space heater :
- Place the space heater on a flat, solid surface, like the floor.
- Purchase a space heater with a thermostat and overheat function.
- Purchase a space heater with a qualified testing laboratory seal.
- Purchase a space heater with an auto shut-off function in case it tips over.
- Make sure the space heater is placed at least three feet away from anything combustible or flammable, including water.
- Do not block an exit with a space heater.
- Do not place space heaters in areas with high foot traffic.
- Keep children away from space heaters.
- Do not plug space heaters into power strips or surge protectors . Only plug them directly into a wall outlet.
- Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces. Specialized techniques and equipment are employed to assist with removing smoke, soot, and other fire residue from ceilings, walls, floors , and other surfaces.
For more information, please visit our FAQ and Glossary .
Sources:
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/heaters/
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-not-burn-your-house-down-with-a-space-heater/