(Undated) — Space heaters can provide extra warmth in a drafty room or chilly home office, but they can also pose a safety risk. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, portable space heaters are responsible for seventeen hundred house fires a year. Fires started by portable space heaters result in about 80 deaths annually. If you rely on a portable heater for supplemental heat, it’s important to make space heater safety a priority. Half of all home heating fires happen during December, January, and February. Find a list of helpful safety tips below.
Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. 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. A taller heater may need to be even further away.
Don’t use a heater in a workshop or garage near paint, gas cans, or matches.
Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
Don’t plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the same outlet as a heater—that can cause overheating.
Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, and test them monthly.