Using a space heater in frigid Florida? Make sure you don’t burn your home down
If you’re using space heaters as temperatures dip in South Florida, be sure you are using them properly. Better to dress in layers or snuggle under an extra blanket than become a casualty.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, portable heaters are involved in an average of 1,600 fires, 70 deaths, and 150 injuries annually.
According to the latest National Fire Protection Association data, fire departments in the U.S. responded to an annual estimated average of 37,365 home heating equipment fires from 2020 to 2024. That accounted for 11% of all reported home fires, which killed more than 400 people and resulted in $1.2 billion in property damage.
Heater fires usually begin when a device is placed too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.
Peter Duncanson, a disaster restoration expert with ServiceMaster Restore, with locations in Florida, offered the following safety tips if you’re using a space heater.
Safety tips
▪ Always keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, wastebaskets or anything that may be flammable. Never place them in confined areas. That means if you’re the type who lives amid clutter, or in a small space with a lot of things around, you ought to consider other means to keep warm indoors.
▪ Plug the space heater directly into the wall outlet, not a surge protector.
▪ Use space heaters that include an automatic shutoff feature.
▪ Turn space heaters off each time you leave the room. Never leave them unattended.
The Compact Appliance website offers more safety tips that include:
▪ Inspect the cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or damaged in any way. One spark can set a nearby couch on fire. Don’t run the cords under carpets to hide them, either.
▪ Keep the space heater stable. Don’t place it atop a rickety surface.
▪ Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Check the batteries regularly.