Space Heater Safety

Cold, wintry weather is upon us, and many of you are probably turning to portable space heaters for warmth. It’s important to keep safety in mind when using those types of heaters. Portable heaters are responsible for more than 4,000 fires in U.S. homes each year and 40 percent of heating-related deaths.


Here are some important tips for portable heater safety:

• Never place your space heater near flammable items like drapes, clothes, furniture, bedding or paper – they are a dangerous fire hazard!

• Do not leave space heaters turned on while unattended.

• Do not use space heaters overnight when everyone is asleep.

• Never touch a portable heater if the floor or any part of your body is wet.

• Place space heaters on the floor for efficiency and stability.

• Make sure your space heater has no frayed wires and never plug it into an outlet or extension cord with several other items.