Space heater safety: 9 places you should never put one
Smart space heaters are all the rage, but placing your electric heater in the wrong place can pose a serious fire hazard. Some space heaters turn on or off based on the ambient temperature to save you some work, but others stay on continuously until you turn them off. That, combined with human error, has made them the best second largest cause of home fires in the US
When used correctly, a space heater can reduce your overall heating costs this autumn and winter with targeted heat that allows you to turn down the heating of the entire house. And they are not expensive. A good space heater won’t cost more than $100, making it an affordable addition to your appliance collection.
You can reduce the risks by avoiding problem areas for your heater (yes, even your small office heater). Below you will find nine places where you should never place a heater.
Read more: The best space heaters
Space heaters, even those with tip-over protection, do not belong on carpets.
1. On a carpet, rug or flammable surface
Space heaters should not be placed on a surface that can easily scorch or catch fire. That means you can never place one on a carpet or rug. Also avoid using them on more delicate hardwoods or fusible vinyl, especially for extended periods of time.
What if you only have carpet in a cold room? You can look for a ceramic or otherwise heat-resistant base to place under the heater. It should be about 3 inches larger on each side than the heater itself.
2. Near walls and furniture
Your space heater needs a safety zone: keep it at least 100 meters away from walls or furniture to avoid fire hazards. Unfortunately, this also means that under your desk or dining table is a no-go. Try pointing space heaters at these areas instead of placing heaters directly underneath them.
3. Near blankets, pillows or curtains
Space heaters pose an even greater fire risk if someone accidentally puts a blanket or pillow against them – and that can easily happen in the winter. The same applies if the heater is pushed against hanging curtains. Keep all these flammable objects at least 100 meters away from the heater at all times.
To play it safe, keep space heaters away from everyday objects.
4. Anywhere easily accessible to pets or small children
Space heaters can easily burn the unwary, and although many newer models have automatic shut-off if they fall over, a dropped space heater can still pose a serious fire hazard. Also, pets and children may not pay attention to where they put toys or blankets, which can pose additional risks.
Use space heaters in areas that very young children and larger pets cannot reach or where they rarely visit. If they are paying attention, teach them to leave the heater on plenty of time.
5. Bathrooms and laundry rooms
Space heaters play poorly with water, which can affect operation and significantly increase the risk of electric shock. In these environments they are also more at risk of falling over.
Unfortunately, bathrooms and laundry rooms often suffer from high temperatures when there is no heating. For maximum effect and safety, we recommend placing a heater outside these areas.
Staying near a space heater is fine, but always check that it isn’t overloading your system.
6. Plugged in next to a lot of other appliances or lights
Space heaters put a lot of strain on the amplifiers an electrical circuit uses. That’s usually fine for newer 15 amp outlets, as modern space heaters are designed to work with those outlets. The circuit breaker and circuit breaker that controls that room/area has their limits.
Plugging in a space heater along with a number of other appliances (kitchen appliances, large entertainment systems, etc.) can overload the system. In the best case scenario, the circuit breaker trips and the power goes out. In the worst case, the wiring overheats and causes an electrical fire.
Read more: 7 things you should never plug into an extension cord or power strip
This overload risk is also more common in the colder months, as the holidays often lead to the plugging in of more glowing decorations, further increasing amplifier loads on home circuits. You can help reduce problems by putting appliances on alternate schedules to reduce overall power loads and monitoring with smart plugs.
7. Plugged into an extension cord or power strip (or both)
Extension cords and power strips are not necessarily rated for the power space heaters require and can increase the danger of an electrical fire, even if the outlet and circuit breaker can handle the heating. Plugging an extension cord into a power strip before connecting the heater only increases the danger.
If you urgently need a heater in a remote location, look for a model that comes with a wireless power cord. Some extension cords are designed to support higher amperage appliances, but you must be very careful when connecting them to a heater; we’d rather you avoid this altogether.
Check where you plug in a heater before warming those toes.
8. Plugged into an old or non-GFCI outlet
A GFCI is a useful piece of technology that shuts off an electrical outlet if there is a problem with the electrical current, especially if it looks like it could complete a circuit elsewhere. It is a useful protection against shock, overheating of devices and other problems. Always ensure that your space heater is connected to an earth leakage circuit breaker.
Also avoid plugging the heater into a particularly old outlet or one that has had problems before, such as suddenly not working. This increases the risk of damage to wiring and resulting fires.
Final tip: never use fuel heaters indoors
Only use within electric or radiant heaters. Never use heaters that require fuel such as kerosene, propane or any other gas in indoor areas – and that includes the garage.
Fuel will always create exhaust fumes, and those fumes require a special vent to leave the house (such as with a gas fireplace). Without venting fumes, these heaters will fill enclosed spaces with carbon monoxide, which could lead to carbon dioxide poisoning, the worst news. The exception is certain oil-filled heaters that do not actually burn the oil, but these are relatively rare.
Read more: The best smoke detectors
Remember: when you go out or go to bed, don’t forget to turn off the space heater; never leave it on and unattended in your home. For more tips on home security, check out the dangerous mistakes homeowners make during a wildfire, the best ways to deter burglars, and the absolute worst places to put a security camera.
