Safety Tips for Portable Space Heaters

Space heaters need space. That’s the key message to reduce the risk of home heating fires this December, January and February, when half of all U.S. heating home fires occur.

Did you know that space heaters annually account for 40 percent of reported U.S. home heating fires?

We encourage everyone to practice extreme caution when using space heaters this season. Keep things that can burn at least 3 feet away from space heaters, and create a three-foot “kid-free zone” around them.

Here are some other easy tips to follow when using portable electric heaters:

• Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
• Turn them off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off.
• Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.

These fires are preventable! Share this information with your friends and family.