Portable space heaters are convenient and popular appliances used to heat homes and businesses when temperatures drop, but they can also pose serious safety hazards. The fire risks associated with space heaters may not always be known or evident. For example, only some heaters exhibit visibly glowing heating elements, so it is easy to forget that they can, nevertheless, reach highly dangerous temperatures that can cause burns and fires. There are also many household items that are not widely recognized as being flammable. Space heaters are frequently placed on rugs and carpets or near furnishings such as sofas, chairs, or curtains, and they are also often used near blankets and sheets — all of which are sometimes made of highly flammable materials.
Inform yourself and others of the safety measures and best practices for using space heaters in your home or business and stay safe whenever you need extra heat this season.
PREVENT SPACE HEATER FIRES AT HOME
Data from Health Canada cites 252 reported safety incidents between 2011 and 2023 involving portable electric heaters, including 5 deaths. In addition, the Ontario Fire Marshall shows that from 2017 to 2021, an average of 510 structural fires per year were caused by heating equipment in Ontario. Additionally, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that space heaters are responsible for 21,800 residential fires and 300 fire-related deaths in the US every year.
Tragic outcomes from the use of space heaters can be avoided by observing these simple safety practices recommended by the fire restoration experts at ServiceMaster Restore:
- Check to ensure your space heater model is not included on any governmental or consumer product recall lists as a result of reported malfunction or safety issues.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn off and unplug heaters when not in use.
- Buy space heaters that include an automatic shutoff feature to prevent over-heating.
- Make sure heaters are always at least 1 metre or 3 feet away from any flammable materials, such as furniture, blankets and wastebaskets. (or check the operating manual to know the recommended amount of space for your heater model.)
- Do not place space heaters under a bed or desk or in any other enclosed areas.
- Keep your space heater on a hard surface that is level and non-flammable, such as concrete or ceramic flooring.
- Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, not into an extension cord or a surge protector.
- To prevent a tripping hazard, do not place heaters in doorways or the middle of rooms.
SPACE HEATER SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
As a business owner or manager, you want your employees to be comfortable and warm at work, and the use of space heaters in offices, warehouses and other working environments is widely popular. It is therefore critical to create a workplace safety policy governing the use of space heaters in your work environment.
Distribute and post the use of space heater best practices in all safety information materials. In addition to the safety recommendations listed above for residential use, include the following essential space heater safety tips for the workplace:
- Require that employees get approval before using a heater in the workspace.
- Require that space heaters and cords be placed out of the way of high-traffic areas.
- Require the crucial importance of turning off space heaters at the end of the workday.
- Establish minimum standards for permitted space heater models, including safety features and independent testing certifications.
At home or on the job, a portable space heater offers a compact and convenient way to stay warm and cozy when cold weather sets in. Simple precautions can go a long way to protecting your home or business from the devastating effects of a fire caused by space heaters. Ensure that you, your family members and your coworkers keep aware of common space heater fire hazards and how to avoid them. If an accident should happen, remember that the fire restoration professionals at ServiceMaster Restore are available 24/7/365 to help you restore your property…and your peace of mind, as quickly as possible.