When the weather outside is frosty and the scenery seems plucked straight from “Winter Wonderland” we all enjoy staying cozy and warm inside our homes. Sometimes we crank the thermostat up just a tad higher. Other times we put on some toasty, comfy clothes. A surefire way to stay warm no matter the weather outside, though, is plugging in the space heater and letting it work its magic.
We don’t want this magic to turn tragic, though, by starting a space heater fire. It’s at this time of year we need to be asking ourselves this simple question, “how do space heaters cause fires?” The answer will go a long way in preventing dangerous space heater fires.
Types of Heaters and How They May Cause a Space Heater Fire
There are different types of space heaters and they all have different ways they can start fires if not used properly. For example:
- Ceramic heaters typically use an element inside of a glass envelope (kind of like a light bulb) and can start a space heater fire if knocked over or being damaged in some way that breaks the glass envelope, exposing the super-hot element inside.
- Convection heaters circulate air through the heater and super-heat the air as it passes through and can start space heater fires if anything combustible is stuck inside the heater, touching the element.
- Fan heaters function the same as a convection heater but use an electric fan to force air in, through, and out of the heater. The same dangers apply to fan heaters as convection heaters when it comes to starting a space heater fire.
- Oil heaters are another type of convection heater that houses oil in the casing to more evenly distribute heat across a space, so, naturally, damage to the casing could easily lead to space heater fires.
Common Causes of Space Heater Fires
Something to understand about how space heaters cause fires is to understand how they work and what are the intended working specifications for the individual space heater.
Space heaters are typically rated at 12.5 amps, which is within safety standards for home use. However, this is only considered “within safety standards” if the heater, power cord, power outlet, and wiring are all in good shape. If any of these are not in working order, then it can possibly lead to a space heater fire.
One of the most common causes these standards aren’t met is due to the use of extension cords with space heaters. You may not have a power outlet right where you need it to be for optimal positioning for your space heater, but it is important to make sure your space heater is plugged directly into a power outlet and NOT into an extension cord or power strip. This may cause the space heater to pull too much or too little amps to function properly and could result in a fire.
The other common cause of space heater fires is keeping items that could easily catch on fire too close to the space heater. These items are called combustibles and, as we mentioned before, there are different ways to put combustibles in danger of catching fire when they are close to a space heater.
How to Prevent Space Heater Fires
There are some simple steps to take to make sure to minimize the risk of fire from your space heater, though.
- You have probably had your space heater stored away for the spring and summer months, so make sure to inspect it for obvious damage to the unit itself, the wiring, or the power cord.
- Make sure your space heater hasn’t been recalled for any reason.
- Plug the space heater directly into a power outlet and not a power strip or extension cord.
- Keep combustible materials at least three feet away from the space heater at all times.
- Monitor your space heater for damage or maintenance needs.
- Never leave the space heater on while no one is home or when you are sleeping.
Don’t Let Space Heater Fires Turn Into a Major Loss
Stay warm during the wintery, colder months, but do so safely! Knowing what type of space heater you have and ways it may start a space heater fire will go a long way to keeping everyone safe. It’s always good to understand common ways space heater fires can start and being careful to help prevent and minimize the risk of fires, too!
