THE PROBLEM Portable electric heaters are high-wattage appliances that have the potential to ignite nearby combustible materials like curtains, beds, sofas, paper, clothing, and flammable liquids. If ignition results from a heater left on and unattended, a major fire could result.
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.
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.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters are involved in more than a thousand home fires every year.
Space heaters can pose potential risks if not used properly. They have the potential to cause fires if placed too close to flammable materials or left unattended. Additionally, using extension cords that are not rated for the heater's power can increase the risk of overheating and electrical hazards.
During the Day: It's safe to leave your heater on for 6-8 hours if you're in the room.
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.
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.
Indeed, a space heater can trip your circuit breaker, and this phenomenon is more common than you might think. Electrical circuit breakers are designed to protect your home's electrical system from overload.
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.
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.
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.
All-around Safety Protection. Using a space heater overnight carries risks like overheating or tipping over, which are fire hazards, especially when left unattended.
The best place to put your space heater is on a smooth tiled floor or a heatproof mat. To use a space heater safely, never put it on top of furniture or appliances because it could fall and cause a serious injury or fire.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Radiant heaters are best if you want to heat an area very quickly. On the other hand, if you want to warm an entire room in your home, a convection heater is the better choice. If you're looking for a heater that can stand up to everyday use and abuse, combination heaters are tough to beat.
Wall-mounted heaters are hardwired for safety
Unlike portable options, wall-mounted units are hardwired into the wall, thus there is no cord to possibly trip over.
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. When heating your bedroom overnight, using a space heater is not a safe option.
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.
The safest place for a space heater is a solid surface like tile, vinyl, laminate, or wood flooring. Space heaters and water don't mix. Resist the urge to warm up the bathroom while you shower or bathe – unless the space heater is specifically designed to be used in humid environments.