Space heaters provide fast, focused warmth — and cause approximately 1,700 home fires every year, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data, resulting in deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage. Most of those fires trace back to the same handful of preventable mistakes. CPSC says the majority of space heater fires could be eliminated if users followed a short set of rules — rules that most users have never read.
The Three-Foot Rule
Space heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn — beds, sofas, curtains, clothing, papers, rugs, and furniture. This is the single most violated space heater safety rule. A heater placed near the edge of a bed for warmth is a leading cause of overnight fires that kill sleeping occupants.
Never Leave It Running Unattended
Turn your space heater off every single time you leave the room and every single time you go to sleep. Space heaters are designed for supplemental, attended heating — not for running overnight or while no one is present. Units that tip over and ignite carpet or bedding while unattended are responsible for a significant portion of space heater fire deaths.
Plug Directly Into the Wall
Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip. Space heaters draw significant electrical current, and extension cords and power strips are not rated for sustained high-amperage loads. The cord or strip can overheat and ignite. Every space heater must be plugged directly into a properly rated wall outlet.
Look for Automatic Shutoff
When purchasing a space heater, choose a unit with an automatic shutoff feature that activates if the unit tips over. Never use a space heater that does not have this feature.
Additional Rules
- Never place a space heater on furniture, carpet, or any uneven surface where it can tip.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters at all times.
- Never use a space heater to dry clothing or warm bedding.
- Inspect the heater’s cord before every use. Do not use a heater with a frayed, cracked, or damaged cord.
- Check SaferProducts.gov before the winter season to verify your heater has not been recalled.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/Space-Heaters
