… Fire safety experts have issued a timely reminder to always plug a space heater directly into the wall. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), portable space heaters accounted for 32% of house fires in the US. Minnesota has seen 89 fires from space heaters over a … We don’t want it to happen to you, so we’ve developed this comprehensive space heater fire safety guide. Space heaters function by emitting a great amount of heat. We test every heater for its stability, checking and rating how easy it is to … This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. There are an estimated 1,100 fires every year that are a result of a portable electric heater. Those sound like a good idea, but you’re concerned about the safety of space heaters and whether they can cause electrical fires. -Newly manufactured gas space heaters have a mechanism that shuts it off if it detects low ambient oxygen. As a matter of fact, this is the most common way in which space heater causes fire in the house. Do not run the heater’s cord under carpeting or rugs, as this can gradually wear down the cord and potentially lead to a fire hazard. Disclosures. But according to a warning from the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters are a … Space heaters cause household fires. Here are the NFPA’s tips for fuel burning space heaters: -Use only the fuel that the manufacturer specifies, and the proper grade if the fuel is liquid. Get free money tips delivered to your inbox daily! At this time it appears that the fire was caused by space heater in the trailer and Friesen was the only one in the trailer at the time of the fire. As a home security specialist, one of the areas of safety that I’m always screaming about during the cold weather is space heater safety, including making sure people know the reasons why such a little device could bring an entire house down in ashes. When the heat comes in direct contact with flammable objects. All rights reserved. © 2021 Clark Howard Inc. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 9 Tips For Safe Operation of RV Space Heaters 1. In a dramatic TV demonstration, NBC’s Jeff Rossen and his team used an abandoned house to show how an improperly used space heater can lead to a fire capable of engulfing a home within minutes. While most space heater fires are caused by proximity to combustibles, there are instances where space heaters can overheat and cause the units to melt, then ignite nearby available materials. Space Heaters Cause Fires One of the main reasons why it’s not safe to leave your heater on all night is because heaters can cause house fires. The National Fire Protection Association names these three reasons that a space heater can start a fire: The unit is too close to a flammable agent like a mattress or bedding; the space heater is on but not attended; and dirty chimneys. How do space heaters cause fires? Frequently Asked Questions Is it safe to leave the space heater on overnight? WHY DO SPACE HEATERS CAUSE FIRE? Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. -Use only a unit with an automatic shut-off so that it shuts off if knocked over. Additionally, 79% of all home heating fire deaths were attributed to space heaters. Space heaters do not generate fire by itself, but it is mostly as a result of interaction with other objects in the room and one thing leading to another. Oil-filled heaters have devices that heat the oil, which stays warm long after the heating component is turned off. Creston Fire is warning residents of a common winter appliance after a series of house fires this past week. Electrical heaters can be a great way to keep warm – especially if you only want to warm up one room. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported that more than 25,000 house fires are started by space heaters every year. One common mistake that many people make is … A space heater fire can quickly flare up and result in extensive property damage. Always turn portable heaters off when you leave a room or go to bed. The leading cause of space heater fires is leaving your heater too close to flammable items, such as clothes or upholstered furniture. In addition to plugging a space heater directly into the wall, remember this: On its website, the Department of Energy recommends that consumers buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit falls over. If your old unit doesn’t have this feature, replace it. Read more: Warning: Do not buy these iPhone chargers. Plus, a space heater presents an extremely hot surface within a small area. Do you know the three reasons why a space heater can cause a fire, and what the No. One official told NBC News that space heaters are a leading cause of fires, and they can be deadly. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from a space heater. The first way fire could stem up from using a heater, is when the unit is made of cheap plastic material. According to the NFPA, space heaters cause 43 percent of home heating fires and 85 percent of home heating fire-related deaths each year. Space heaters are the most used home heating appliances, and that explains why they lead in the number of fires and deaths caused. While space heaters can truly be a life-saver during the winter months, they can prove to be a serious danger if handled incorrectly, resulting in burns and even a house fire. Additionally, it's better to plug your space heaters to its proper outlet without an extension. More than 80% of home heating fire deaths are caused due to space heaters each year. Can Radiators and Heaters Cause a Fire? Newswise — The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths are caused each year … For Roberts FREE ebook text- SECURE Your@emailaddress -to 411247. While space heaters are quite common, they can also be very dangerous. 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You may be unintentionally putting both you and your family in serious danger by using a cheap extension cord with a portable space heater. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 25,000 residential fires are associated with the use of space heaters … Personal Security, Privacy, Cyber Safety and Identity Theft Expert. Choose a heater that’s an appropriate size for the room you intend to use it in. The main threats of space heaters are burns, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning. The most common injuries associated with these accidents are burns, sometimes severe and life-altering. -Supervise children when a space heater is going. They might cause electrical shocks, overheating, and fires. So, save the risk of using sub-standard extension cords. In a dramatic TV demonstration, NBC’s Jeff Rossen and his team used an abandoned house to show how an improperly used space heater can lead to a fire … The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 house fires annually are associated with space heaters. Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves and water heaters carry a … Depending on the model you have – it might be safe to leave it on overnight. More than half (53 percent) the deaths resulted from fires that began when heating equipment was too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or … Every winter, our teams help Chicago home and business owners recover from fires caused by space heaters. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment like space heaters is the second leading cause of home fires… If you buy one, how do you ensure safe operation? Below are examples of space heaters that have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov: Figure 2 -Put the “space” back in space heater: Give it ample personal space—three feet of it—from anything else. One official told NBC News that space heaters are a leading cause of fires, and they can be deadly. Electric heating devices like space heaters can cause fires if not monitored. Millions of people use space heaters to keep warm in winter. The National Fire Protection … -Allow at least five minutes to lapse if your gas heater pilot light goes out, before relighting, and light your match before you turn the gas on to avoid a flashback. -Never leave a space heater on when absent or asleep. You don't want to destroy an expensive infrared space heater with electricity. Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common reason for electrical fires. Nationally, space heaters account for four out of five deaths caused by home heating malfunctions. Malfunctioning oil heaters can pose a fire hazard. However, they should be used with care. Don’t leave it in the way. -The unit should always be on a flat, solid surface. If a space heater malfunctioned and exploded, cuts, bruising or other injuries from the flying metal may also occur. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, Raise the kind of person you'd like to know. 4 Things to Know Before You Sign Up for YouTube TV, 7 Easy Steps to Free Up Storage Space on Your iPhone, Best Live TV Streaming Services: Compare Our Top Picks for 2021. These fires result in approximately 50 deaths per year with property damage adding up into the millions of dollars. Part of HuffPost Parenting. A bit of research turns up results about electric space heaters you can use for added warmth. USA faces around 108,400 house and apartment fires and about 945 deaths. Do you know the three reasons why a space heater can cause a fire, and what the No. 5 Space Heater Fire Statistics You Should Know About -Never light the unit if you smell gas from it. Instead shut off all controls, open the doors and windows, then call a gas service tech. Moreover, it results in 3,825 injuries per year, leading to 6,000 visits to hospitals and $1.7 billion in property loss every year. The DOE reported that most space heaters come with a general sizing table that will help you determine whether a unit is a good fit for a room. Space heaters can melt outlets for three main reasons: Old, worn-out wiring; Bad contact between the heater’s plug and wall outlet; Overloading ; Using a burnt outlet is like riding a motorcycle with no brakes. According to data collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 25,000 house fires every year are caused by the misuse of or malfunction of space heaters. While most space heater fires are caused by proximity to combustibles, there are instances where space heaters can overheat and cause the units to melt, then ignite nearby available materials. Many people will use an extension cord to bring a space heater closer to them, but the cord may not be able to handle the amount of electricity that your small but powerful unit produces. Space heaters consume a lot of electricity and can easily overload circuits, causing a power failure or electric fire. -Make sure the unit has no broken or malfunctioning parts. So if this heat is continuously directed to a flammable object, it won't take long before the object catches fire. 1 reason is? By following a few simple safety steps, many of these disasters could have been avoided. 1 reason is? Yesterday, Creston Fire was called to 611 S. Oak St. after a fire was reported at 10:58 a.m. Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson said it appears the fire started on the porch, where he believes a space heater was being used to keep a washer from freezing, however, the cause is still … According to a study by Nationwide, space heaters are the cause of an estimated 19,300 fires in the U.S. each year, as well as an estimated 360 deaths and 1,020 injuries. With the central heating in your home and additional heating sources, like space heaters, operational, you should be vigilant in making sure you are not increasing the potential for fires to occur. The NFPA offers these tips for electric space heater safety: -Require a three-foot childfree zone around space heaters. As a home security specialist, one of the areas of safety that I’m always screaming about during the cold weather is space heater safety, including making sure people know the reasons why such a little device could bring an entire house down in ashes. 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