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Fire Prevention Tips for Portable Space Heaters

This winter, you may be in the market for a portable heater to warm up your cold office space or additional space in your home. While portable space heaters heat small spaces quickly, these appliances account for over one-third of the fires annually.

Compared to other heating devices, fixed or portable space heaters account for most reported fire incidents, so safety precautions while using these appliances are essential. 

Purchasing

Before purchasing and using a portable heater, there are a few items to consider. When shopping for a heater, only purchase heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Placement

Position your space heater at least 3 feet away from any furniture, clothing, mattresses, or bedding, and keep pets and children away from the heater to avoid burns.

Electrical Safety

When using your heater in your office or home, ensure that your portable heater has an automatic shut-off in case it is tipped over. If your space heater has no automatic shut-off, consider purchasing an auto-shut-off safety outlet.

In an office setting, adding a calendar event to “shut off your appliance” at the end of your workday can ensure you will never forget to unplug the heater.

To prevent overheating or electrical shorts, plug your heater directly into a wall outlet, and never plug an electric heater into an extension cord or power strip.

Usage

According to data provided by the NFPA, heating equipment, including space heaters, causes the highest percentage of civilian deaths between the hours of 9 pm-6 am. If possible, avoid using space heaters at night or while sleeping, and always make sure the heated area has a working smoke alarm.

According to data provided by the NFPA, heating equipment, including space heaters, causes the highest percentage of civilian deaths between the hours of 9 pm-6 am. If possible, avoid using space heaters at night or while sleeping, and always make sure the heated area has a working smoke alarm.

Regular Maintenance

Regular cleaning of your appliances is essential to reduce fire risk and maintain its longevity and functionality. Before cleaning, unplug your appliances and wait until the appliance reaches room temperature.

Dust and debris can build up in your space heater, increasing the fire risk. For dust and debris removal, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, this involves the use of a soft cloth or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris from the heater's vents gently. Do not use water or a wet cloth near electrical components.

Some portable heaters have air filters to improve air quality. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing the filter regularly.

Both heaters can enhance comfort during the winter, but safety should always be the top priority. You can reduce the risk of fires or other hazards by choosing devices with built-in safety features, maintaining proper placement, and following manufacturer instructions.

At CED Technologies, our engineering experts have extensive expertise in fire and consumer product investigations and with alleged product failures, misuses, and accidents. Our experts use a multi-discipline approach and draw on their mechanical, electrical, metallurgical, civil, and structural expertise to test products under investigation.

Stay healthy and safe this season by using your devices properly!

Access the Home Heating Safety PDF provided by the NFPA: Safety with Heating Equipment | NFPA

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