A Guide to Space Heater Safety

As the temperatures drop, a portable space heater can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home. But are space heaters dangerous? They can be if not used properly. Ahead, find essential tips for space heater safety, with input from Ryan Moore, Fire Chief of Fire District No. 2 in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

What Is a Space Heater?

A space heater is a portable heating device commonly used to warm smaller, otherwise unheated spaces in a home. Most are electric, but fuel-burning models that use kerosene, propane or natural gas are also available. Space heaters can also serve as supplementary heat sources to warm a specific room without raising the entire home’s temperature.

Are Space Heaters Safe?

Space heaters are a great option for that stubborn corner of your home that just won’t get warm, and “as long as they’re properly used, shouldn’t pose a safety issue,” Moore says. However, space heater safety is a serious business, and if not used correctly, space heaters can be very dangerous.

Dangers Associated With Space Heaters

• Fire hazard: Space heaters placed near flammable materials like curtains or bedding can easily ignite and cause a fire. If a space heater is unattended and tips over, it can also quickly lead to a fire.
• Electric shock risk: Damaged or exposed wires can cause electric shock.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Fuel-burning heaters release carbon monoxide, an odorless, poisonous gas and must be used in well-ventilated spaces.
• Burn risk: Space heater surfaces can become extremely hot and cause serious burns if not handled properly.

Tips for Using Space Heaters Safely

Always practice these tips for optimum space heater safety.

Follow the instructions

Your space heater should have a label that shows it was tested in a recognized laboratory. Before using the heater, read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels.

Use for supplemental heat only

A space heater is meant to provide supplemental heat only. They should never be used to warm linens, cook food or dry clothing. While they may work to warm up smaller rooms in your home, they are not very energy-efficient appliances.

Make sure your smoke alarms work

“Always check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating,” Moore says. This is essential whether you’re using a space heater or not, but given the risk of fire associated with portable, plug-in heaters, it’s an especially critical task.

Check the cord

Check the space heater’s cord for cracks and make sure the plug isn’t broken. When plugging in, make sure the connection is secure. Loose connections are inherently dangerous and can be a fire hazard.

Don’t leave a space heater unattended

When leaving a room, turn the space heater off. Also, turn the heater off when sleeping. “Running a space heater while you’re asleep is the same as leaving it unattended,” Moore says, “I don’t recommend it.” Never let pets or children play too close to the heater to avoid burns and prevent them from accidentally tipping it over.

Keep it out of the way

Keep your space heater in a corner or an area of the room where people aren’t walking so that nobody trips on it. Not only is it dangerous for the person walking, it could result in the heater getting too close to flammable materials.

Plug directly into an outlet

Space heaters draw considerable electric current, which can shock you and overheat extension cords and power strips. “Always plug your space heater directly into an outlet, never an extension cord,” Moore says.

Keep space heaters away from flammable material

Space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including rugs, clothing, bedding and paper. They’re best used on a flat, uncovered floor without carpeting. Don’t run the cord under a rug, either.

Look for safety features

An easy way to increase space heater safety is to look for a space heater with built-in safety features like a tip-over switch, overheat sensor and touch sensor. These features can help prevent overheating, which can result in a fire.

FAQ

Can you run a space heater all night?

Unless you are awake all night and in the same room as the space heater, you cannot run it all night. “Nothing happens when you’re watching the heater; it’s always when it’s unattended that bad things happen,” Moore says.

How long can you run a space heater?

Moore recommends reading the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on how long you can run a particular space heater, as each one is different.

What is the safest spot for a space heater?

The safest spot for a space heater is at least three feet away from any flammable materials in any direction, preferably on an uncarpeted floor in the corner of a room.

About the Expert

• Ryan Moore is Fire Chief for the District No. 2 Fire Department in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where he has served for 18 years.