Leaving a space heater on overnight poses several potential risks, including a significant fire hazard. It is important to be aware of these dangers to ensure the safety of yourself and your home. Understanding the risks associated with overnight space heater use can take the necessary precautions to mitigate them.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters are involved in more than a thousand home fires every year.
Many space heater fires happen when the heaters are left running while homeowners are sleeping or not home. When it's time to leave the room or go to bed, turn the space heater off and unplug it, too.
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.
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.
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.
CPSC estimates that space heaters, including both fixed and portable heaters, are associated with about 21,800 residential fires every year. About 300 people die each year in fires started by these heaters.
You Should Not Leave Space Heaters on Unattended
We do not recommend using space heaters at all because of this risk, but you definitely should not use them at night. If your home is too cold at night, you may want to consider adjusting your thermostat to better meet your needs.
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.
It is not safe to run a space heater overnight. If you use an electric or propane space heater during the day, make sure to protect yourself and your home by following all safety practices. Use space heaters that automatically turn off if they tip over. Only plug space heaters into grounded outlets.
Always turn off the heater when you leave the room. Extended use of heaters can make them break down internally, and they could catch fire. Plus, you waste energy when the space heater is keeping an empty room warm. To be on the safe side, look for a space heater that has automatic shutoff features.
If you leave your electric heater on all day, it will eventually wear out. This means that you will have to replace it sooner than if you had turned it off when you weren't using it, leading to additional expenses.
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.
Leaving electric heaters on overnight is not recommended. Leaving a heater unattended for any length of time increases the risk of fire. For wall-mounted electric radiators, it's vital that all curtains and other combustible materials are kept well away from.
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.
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.
Never leave a space heater unattended, especially when sleeping. Ensure the space heater has a tip-over switch that automatically turns off the unit if it topples. Regularly inspect and maintain your space heater to ensure it is in good working condition.
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.
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.
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.
Never leave a space heater running when you're asleep or when you leave the area. Locate the heater at least three feet away from bedding, furniture and drapes, or where towels or other fabrics could fall on it and start a fire.
Avoid leaving a space heater unattended -- especially for long periods. Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips.
In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames. Fire is HOT!
Best Space Heater Safety Tips
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.