Space heaters melt outlets primarily because they draw a massive amount of power—typically 1,500 watts—creating continuous high heat. When this high-amperage draw meets a weak point in the electrical system, the connection points quickly overheat, soften the plastic, and melt the outlet.
Your typical space heater pulls 1,500 watts. That exceeds the amount that can continuously be pulled through an outlet. The picture of the burned up outlet and box was burned up from a space heater!
When electricity flows through connections that aren't tight or have high resistance, it creates heat. This heat builds up quickly when wires loosen or when circuits carry more current than they're designed for. The heat causes the plastic cover of the outlet to soften and warp, resulting in the melting you see.
No, you should never plug a space heater into a power strip or extension cord. Space heaters pull a large amount of electrical current, and most power strips are not designed to handle such a heavy, sustained electrical load. This can easily cause the strip to overheat, melt, and ignite a fire.
No, you should never use a melted plug. Melting indicates that extreme heat was generated by a short circuit, an overloaded circuit, or loose, arcing electrical connections. Using it again poses a severe fire hazard and risks permanently damaging your home’s electrical system.
Yes. An outlet can start a fire even if nothing is plugged into it. Because live electrical wires are always connected directly to the receptacle behind the wall, faults within the outlet's internal wiring or connections can generate extreme heat and sparks, leading to unexpected fires.
Yes, a burnt outlet is a major fire hazard and can easily cause a house fire. Burning, melting, or discoloration indicates excessive heat and electrical arcing behind the wall, which can easily ignite nearby materials like drywall, wood framing, and insulation.
If you're using a space heater, plug it directly into the wall and keep it at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed. Pictured is a space heater involved in a house fire in Columbia in 2022.
No, you should not plug a 1500-watt heater into a standard extension cord. Space heaters pull high, continuous power—roughly 12.5 amps—which can cause standard extension cords to overheat, melt, or cause a fire. The safest practice is to plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, never into a power strip or extension cord.
Never plug high-wattage appliances or devices with motors and heating elements into a power strip. These include refrigerators, microwaves, space heaters, air conditioners, toasters, and hair dryers. They draw massive amounts of power that can easily overload the strip, melt wiring, and start a fire.
The Risk of Space Heater Fires
One third of fires in the home are caused by space heaters.
The exposed copper and melted insulation show signs of overheating, which is a major safety concern. It's important to immediately cut power to the circuit and have a licensed electrician inspect and repair the damage. Replacing the outlet and wiring is essential to prevent further electrical hazards.
6-Feet and 12-Feet Rule
Wall receptacles should have 6 feet of wall space on each side of the receptacle, and this provides a maximum of 12 feet of wall space between the wall receptacles. This ensures that you'll always have a wall receptacle within easy reach, reducing the need for extension cords.
Burning happens when too much power flows through the same circuit. This often occurs when too many devices are plugged into one outlet. Loose wiring or poor connections can also cause heat buildup that burns the outlet. If the outlet feels hot when touched, it's another warning sign that it's not safe.
A space heater can be a cost-effective way to stay warm, but it can also be a fire hazard. In the last few years, several fatal fires in Texas were started by space heaters.
Potential Warning Signs and Hazards
Call the fire department immediately if you have any of these warning signs: Arcs, sparks or short circuits; Sizzling or buzzing sound; Odors, vague smell of something burning.
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire.
Do not use an extension cord unless absolutely necessary. Using an extension cord with high wattage appliances can start a fire. If you must use an extension cord, it must be marked 14 or #12 AWG, this tells the thickness or gauge of the wire in the cord. (The smaller the number, the greater the thickness of the wire.)
These appliances are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table. 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.
Prolonged use of electric space heaters can damage outlets and compromise household wiring. Our energy auditor snapped this photo last week during a home visit. Not only did the outlet have burn marks and the faceplate visible signs of melting, but the entire circuit was no longer functioning due to wire damage.
Never use extension cords or temporary power strips for high-wattage appliances, devices that generate continuous heat, or units with heavy-duty motors. These draw more power than standard cords can safely handle, risking severe electrical fires, voltage drops, and permanent damage to your equipment.
Cooking is the number one cause of house fires, accounting for roughly half of all residential building fires in the United States. Unattended cooking and frying with oil are the most frequent culprits.
Whilst they can start naturally, see Information note - Wildfire, it is estimated that 90% of all wildfires across the globe are caused by humans. About 30% of those are started as a deliberate act of arson, whilst 70% are started accidentally or as a direct result of human carelessness.
Yes. An outlet can start a fire even if nothing is plugged into it. Because live electrical wires are always connected directly to the receptacle behind the wall, faults within the outlet's internal wiring or connections can generate extreme heat and sparks, leading to unexpected fires.