Nothing beats having a nice, toasty bedroom in the middle of the winter season. Unfortunately, not all homes are equipped with central heating.
To add warm air into a room, you might use a portable space heater. But are they really okay to use as overnight warmers?
What safety concerns should you be aware of?
Are portable space heaters safe to leave on at night?
Leaving portable space heaters on at night is not recommended due to significant fire risks. These heaters can easily ignite nearby combustible materials if too close. Modern heaters often have safety features like automatic shut-offs, but these should not be solely relied upon. It’s safer to use them only when awake and to turn them off before sleeping.
The short answer is “No”. Portable heaters are a potential safety risk and should be turned off when you are asleep.
If you’re worried about using a room heater in your home, it’s a good idea to learn why fire experts are concerned about their use.
With a little knowledge, you’ll be able to make the most of your heating.
Safety Tips
Div. of Fire Safety (@MoFireMarshal) January 29, 2019
Never leave space heaters on when you leave room or go 2 sleep
Do not keep anything in 3-ft safety zone of heating equip
Never use gas or charcoal fueled heaters inside house
Never overload extension cords or outlets
Never use oven to heat your home pic.twitter.com/hfPI02nRnb
Following these safety precautions should help you to keep your home safer when you are needing to use a portable heater.
Why Are Space Heaters Dangerous?
Space heaters are dangerous primarily due to their fire risk. They can easily overheat and ignite nearby combustible materials like curtains, bedding, or furniture.
Additionally, faulty or damaged heaters and cords pose electrical hazards, potentially leading to home fires or electric shocks.
Additionally, if they malfunction or have frayed wiring, space heaters can spontaneously ignite.
When you are awake, you will be able to notice smoke coming from a space heater.
When you’re asleep, however, you’re likely not to notice that your heater is malfunctioning, or if you do, it might be too late.
Even if you take fires out of the equation, there are other risks that come with space heater use. These include:
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – unvented propane heaters or natural gas heaters can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Dry Skin – a common byproduct of using a space heater for too long.
- Nosebleeds (due to dried out nasal passages) – just one of the consequences of dry skin.
If any of these health issues are of major concern to you, consider using an electric blanket instead of portable heaters during the cold winter months.
Although, electric blankets are not necessarily a good product for everyone.
3 Types Of Safer Space Heaters
Although we do not recommend that you keep ANY type of space heater on overnight, there are 3 types of space heaters that are generally safer to run.
- Infrared heaters – Unlike other types of space heaters, infrared heaters (aka radiant heaters) don’t emit any hot air into your living space but instead use rays which are then absorbed by objects near it. This heats a room quickly, usually within a minute or two. The heat from an infrared heater normally will last a long time even after it’s been turned off.
- Ceramic space heaters – The outer shell of ceramic space heaters remains cool which can make it safer than other types of space heaters.
- Oil heaters – Oil heaters can be safe if they are equipped with auto shut off features which turns the unit off if they overheat or tip over. They also tend to stay cool to the touch which decreases the chances of anything catching on fire near it.
The modern space heaters of today are now equipped with a ceramic heating element (aka ceramic plates) and guards surrounding it making it safer.
What Kind Of Automatic Shutoff Functions Can Space Heaters Have?
Automatic shutoff functions can take a wide range of different modes. These functions include:
- Timed Shutoff – this function lets you set a timer on how long a space heater will push out air. Once your goal time has lapsed, the heater will turn off.
- Overheat Sensors – a model with this shutoff feature will turn itself off if temperatures get close to overheating.
- Tip-Over Protection – this function uses sensors to determine if your space heater has been knocked over. If it’s not properly positioned, the sensors will trigger its automatic shutoff function.
Consumer Reports also recommends getting a space heater that has:
- a ground fault circuit interrupter plug (GFCI) to help reduce the chance of an electrical shock
- a safety certification label from an independent testing company
- a sturdy cord. They advise never plugging a space heater into a power strip or using an extension cord with it.
Following these best practices can help to keep you, your family and your home safe.
Questions And Answers About Using Space Heaters
Below are some of the most common questions about space heaters and the answers to help you stay as safe as possible.
Can You Leave A Space Heater Unattended If It Has An Automatic Shutoff Feature?
It is not advisable to leave a space heater unattended, even with an automatic shutoff feature. While these features provide an added layer of safety, they are not fail-proof.
Although you don’t have to be in the same room as the space heater, it’s still best to at least stay in the house while the heater is working.
That way you will be there if a problem arises.
Also remember, that space heaters can use a lot of electricity.
So, if you want to keep your electric bill from skyrocketing, you’ll want to turn it off when not in use.
How Long Can Space Heaters Be Left On?
Space heaters should not be left on for extended periods, especially when unattended or while sleeping.
It’s generally safe to use them for a few hours at a time, provided they are in good working condition and placed away from flammable materials.
If you have an upscale heater, you can easily leave it on for 10 hours or more without an issue.
Most fire safety specialists suggest heating up a room for two to three hours before you sleep, then turning it off.
Can You Use A Space Heater On A Carpeted Floor?
Using a space heater on a carpeted floor requires caution. Ensure the heater is stable and won’t tip over, as carpets can be an uneven surface.
Choose heaters with a base designed for stability. Keep the heater away from foot traffic to prevent tripping or knocking it over.
It’s best to keep your space heater on tile, wood, or a similar fiber-free surface.
And of course, it should be a flat surface.
Can You Use A Space Heater Near Your Bed?
As much as you might want that warmth, space heaters should never be used near a bed.
Using a space heater near your bed can be risky. It’s crucial to keep the heater at least three feet away from bedding and other flammable materials to prevent fire hazards.
Much like with carpet fibers, materials from your bed may catch fire if they’re left too close to the heater.
The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
National Fire Protection Association
When using a space heater in your bedroom, the best place to put it is across the room from your bed. This is also true for any small spaces, you want it placed away from objects.
Ideally, this will be a corner that isn’t cluttered.
Should Space Heaters Be Unplugged When Not In Use?
Yes, space heaters should be unplugged when not in use. This practice prevents any accidental activation or overheating, reducing the risk of fire hazards.
Unplugging also safeguards against electrical faults or power surges that could occur when the heater is left connected to the power source.
So unplug your space heater!
Can I Plug A Space Heater Into A Timer?
Space heaters draw a significant amount of power, which can exceed the capacity of most timers, leading to overheating and potential fire hazards.
It’s best to manually turn off the heater when not in use.
How Can You Make Space Heater Use Safer?
By now, you’ve already read a bunch of tips that can help improve the safety of your space heater.
But wait, there’s more! These tips below can help you keep your family safe without sacrificing warmth:
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, if you haven’t already. And if you have them, then check batteries. It’s something you should be doing anyway, right?
- Place the heater on a smooth, flat surface like a ceramic tile or flat stone.
- Check your space heater’s wiring. Never use a space heater that has frayed wiring, as this could cause an electrical fire.
- Energy.gov says, “Electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. If an extension cord is necessary, use the shortest possible heavy-duty cord of 14-gauge wire or larger. Always check and follow any manufacturer’s instructions pertaining to the use of extension cords.“
- If you own pets, make sure they’re not chewing on the space heater’s wiring. This isn’t just a matter of fire safety; it could electrocute your pets! Using a chew-proofing spray like Bitter Apple can help keep them away from the cords.
- Don’t nap while your heater is on. Even if it’s just a short nap, it’s not worth risking waking up to an out of control blaze.
- Pay attention to safety recalls. If a space heater you bought has a safety recall associated with it, pay attention to the warnings, and get your heater replaced. Recalls exist to protect consumers.
- Don’t use space heaters as the primary heat source in your home. Space heaters are just meant to warm up a room or a corner of an office. Heavy use of space heaters increases the chances of a fire.
- Keep your space heater dust-free, and don’t use it around clutter or any flammable materials. The less material that could ignite near it, the better. Fire experts suggest a 3-foot radius away from combustible items.
- The safest heaters are the ones that have safety features like a timer, over heating sensors and tip-over shutoffs. They can save lives.
- Never use a broken or old space heater. The older the model, the less likely it is to be a safe option for your family. If a space heater is broken, it should be discarded immediately since it is a fire hazard. The invest in any of the newer modern heaters will be worth it in the long run.
