The National Fire Protection Association puts that figure into even starker context, noting that space heaters factor into about 46 percent of home heating-related fires (which includes items like water heaters and fireplaces) and 88 percent of associated deaths.
Fire is a standard covered peril under most homeowners insurance policies. Therefore, a space heater itself and damage caused by a space heater are likely covered up to your policy limits.
Water should never be used to put out an electrical fire, and instead, a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires or baking soda should be used to smother the flames. It's also essential to turn off the power source and avoid touching the appliance or machine to prevent electric shock.
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 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.
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.
To put out a space heater fire, unplug the heater. Leave it in place, and smother the flames with a fire extinguisher. Be ready to evacuate and call 911 if the fire gets out of control. After extinguishing a space heater fire, call your homeowners insurance agent, and start the claims process.
Electrical fires can start almost instantly, take years to develop, or begin in any amount of time in between. In seconds an electrical arc can combust flammable material or gases—causing a fire almost instantly. In minutes an electrical heater can tip onto a flammable carpet and produce enough heat for it to burn.
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.
Small ceramic heaters and infrared heaters are safe to trash at home. Their heating elements don't contain any hazardous materials. However, if your heater is mostly made of metal, then you should bring it to a scrap metal bin at a Collection and Recycling Center. If mostly plastic, discard in household garbage.
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.
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.
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.
Space heaters must have an automatic safety switch (tip-over switch) that turns the unit off if it is tipped over. Space heaters must have a thermostatic control which ensures that the unit will turn itself off and pre vent overheating or creating an electrical hazard.
0:30 - Fire ignites and grows rapidly. 1:04 - From first flame, fire spreads and smoke begins to fill room. 1:35 - Smoke layer descends rapidly, temperature exceeds 190°F. 1:50 - Smoke detector at foot of stairs alarms.
Electrical systems should be relatively silent. If buzzing, sizzling, or humming noises emanate from your outlets, switches, or electrical panels, these could signal a loose connection or problematic wiring. These sounds can be early signs of electrical fire hazards and should be addressed immediately.
Your circuit breaker has one job: cut off the flow of electricity to your home to prevent overheating a circuit—and thus prevent an electrical fire.
Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.
Absolutely. The US Department of Energy records about 25,000 house fires every year that are linked to a space heater fire.
You Should Not Leave Space Heaters on Unattended
Electric heaters of any type are unsafe to leave running overnight because they carry a significant amount of risk.
Homeowners insurance policies will usually cover the most common types of fires, including those caused by faulty electrical wires, cooking, candles, fireplaces, heaters or other household items.
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).
Certification: Buy only space heaters that feature a safety certification label such as the UL mark. Shutoff features: A tip-over switch or sensor that automatically shuts a space heater off when it overheats or falls over is a critical safety feature.
While electric space heaters can help keep room temperatures warm, they can also be dangerous and cause fires. Space heaters should never be left unattended or used within three feet of any combustibles and should always be plugged directly into an outlet.