Place space heaters on low, flat surfaces. Keep out of high-traffic areas or doorways. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable items and objects, such as papers or curtains. Avoid leaving a space heater unattended -- especially for long periods.
Absolutely. The US Department of Energy records about 25,000 house fires every year that are linked to a space heater fire. Many result in trips to the emergency room, with more than 300 fatalities each year. Property damage from these fires can be devastating, requiring extensive professional fire damage restoration.
Running a space heater overnight increases the risk of fire. If the unit is left unattended or placed too close to flammable materials, such as curtains or bedding, it can ignite and lead to a devastating fire.
The biggest threat associated with space heaters is fire. In fact, each year space heaters are responsible for about 55,000 fires, 450 deaths, and more than 1,500 injuries.
At least 3 feet of clearance must be maintained around the heater at all times. Combustible materials like paper, plastic, and cloth must be kept away from the heater. Electric cords must be kept out of foot traffic paths to prevent tripping.
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. Don't use a heater in a workshop or garage near flammable paints, gas cans, or matches. Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Yes, you should not sit close to a heater, especially if it is an electric heater with a fan. This is because the direct airflow can lead to drying and sometimes burning of your skin, and you also face the risk of nodding on the heater, which could cause severe burns and other risks.
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. An article published just this week in the New York Times explores the dangers of space heaters.
During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room.
Oil filled radiator space heaters are some of the safest on the market. 1500W is all the juice an outlet will provide (Roughly 5,000 btus).
What is the safest heater to leave on overnight? While it's not recommended to leave any space heater on if you're not monitoring it, oil-filled, radiant space heaters are considered safer than ceramic convection (hot air) types, according to Roberson. Both of these options are safer than open-coil heaters.
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.
“No, it's absolutely not safe to use a space heater at night,” states Glenn Gault, CEO at Gault Heating & Cooling. “It's not even safe to leave your space heater running when you leave a room for just a few minutes.
Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface. Keep them at least three feet from things that can burn. Check your space heater for cracked or damaged cords and plugs. Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets, don't use an extension cord or power strip.
Portable heaters can cause fires if they are placed too close to combustible materials, such as drapes, furniture or bedding, so make sure to place them at least three feet away from these materials.
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.
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.
Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you're leaving a room or going to sleep, and don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater. Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
Space heaters are designed to run for a few hours and warm a small space. These units aren't intended to run all day or night, operating without stopping for eight hours or more.
DO NOT place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire. I always remember my dad constantly reminding us to never ever leave the space heater plugged in if we were not staying in the rec room.
Be sure the heater plug fits tightly into the wall receptacle. If not, do not use the outlet to power the heater. Poor electrical connections are another leading cause of fires. During use, check frequently to determine if the heater plug or cord, wall outlet, or outlet faceplate is hot.
The correct answer is 'NO', don't plug this into a surge strip, power outlet strip, or even an extension cord that is not rated for 12 or 14 gauge.
Electric space heaters can be used safely, but they are not the safest option for staying warm when the temperature drops. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters account for 43% of home heating fires and 85% of home heating deaths. They can also be a hazard in the workplace.
Recommended Usage Times. During the Day: It's generally safe to run your space heater for 6 to 8 hours during the day while you're home and active.
No. Only heaters that burn a combustible fuel to create heat can cause carbon monoxide build-up in your home. An electrical heater works by having electricity flow through a metal heating or ceramic heating element to produce heat.