Portable Heaters Always plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip, to prevent overloading and causing a fire. Never leave portable heaters on while sleeping.
Is it safe to leave a space heater on overnight? While there is much debate about this topic, the general, expert consensus is a resounding “no” — and you should never leave it running overnight.
The duration for which you can leave a space heater running depends on the time of day and your specific needs. During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room. If you're busy or moving between rooms, consider using a timer to automatically shut it off after a few hours.
Most home heating deaths happened because a space heater was too close to furniture, clothing, mattresses, or bedding. Make sure your heater is at least three feet from anything that can burn.
It can trigger chest pain and heart problems.
This is why it's not recommended to keep it on for a long time, as the heat will raise the CO above safe levels which can be harmful to our health. The effects of keeping room heaters on for prolonged periods of time can trigger chest pain and initiate other heart problems.
Turn off the space heater when no one is occupying that area or when it is out of sight. Do not use space heaters if small children are in the area. Unplug space heaters at the end of each day and make sure the unit has cooled before exiting the room or jobsite.
Never leave a gas heater running when you go to bed. Never use an unflued gas heater in a bathroom, bedroom or caravan. Toxic gases may cause serious health problems in these situations.
Space heaters can take anywhere from 750 watts to 3,000 watts to operate. Large space heaters take immense amounts of energy to run. However, those are most likely used only in commercial and industrial settings. The average residential space heater has two main heat settings, low and high.
Portable space heaters can get very hot and ignite nearby objects, by either tipping over or being in close proximity to these objects. The heater's exposed heating coils or elements can spark a fire in seconds. Overloading an outlet may cause an electrical fire or lead to the appliance overheating.
Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs. Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.
Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.
That being said, ceramic space heaters are safe to leave on all night because the outside shell does not heat up and thus remains cool, posing no harm to you or your family. Ceramic heaters are among the safest heaters to use throughout the night.
Overusing the heater or using an oversized heater can result in elevated levels of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide fumes in the air. These fumes can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, headaches, and eye, nose and throat irritation. Don't use these heaters as your main heat source, even during power failures.
Using a space heater can be a good way to boost the temperature in a small, drafty room—and it could be less expensive than cranking up your central heating system. But a space heater is economical only if you use it judiciously.
Con: Fire and Burn Risk
The National Fire Protection Association warns that space heaters account for more than 40% of all home heating-related fires. Space heaters are also responsible for most fire-related deaths during winter, and they account for thousands of burn-related injuries each year.
On average, you can expect to pay about 20 cents per hour to run a typical space heater that's 1,500 watts and can heat a standard room such as a home office or bedroom. If you run it for eight hours per day, you'll pay about $1.60 per day or $48 per month.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), at least 430 people die annually in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While electric space heaters do not produce carbon monoxide (CO), non-electric space heaters (propane gas, natural gas, kerosene, wood) can if incomplete combustion occurs.
What makes it dangerous? Sleeping with the heater on increases the levels of carbon monoxide in the room. People with heart disease may get chest pain, while smokers with heart disease are particularly at risk, so are young children and elderly. The risk of asphyxia (sleep death) is high when using gas heaters.
Never Leave Unattended: Do not leave the space heater unattended while it is operating overnight. It is important to be present and aware of any potential hazards that may arise. Always turn off the heater before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Electric heaters of any type are unsafe to leave running overnight because they carry a significant amount of risk. If a space heater falls over or becomes too hot from running for too long of a period of time, that can lead to a fast-moving fire that occurs while you are asleep and cannot act fast enough.
Sleeping with a room heater on in a closed room can increase carbon monoxide levels, reduce oxygen, and disrupt blood flow to the brain, potentially leading to brain hemorrhage or death.
Establish a 3-foot kid- and pet-free zone around the heater, and never put a space heater in a child's room. Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains. A taller heater may need to be even farther away.
On a carpet, rug or flammable surface
Space heaters can't sit on any surface that can easily scorch or catch on fire. That means you can never place one on a carpet or rug. You should also avoid using them on more delicate hardwoods or meltable vinyl, especially for long periods.