Portable heaters are a smart way to warm just the room you're in instead of the whole house. They are also involved in a large share of home heating fires each winter. A few habits make all the difference.
Before you plug it in
- Choose a heater with tip-over shut-off and overheat protection.
- Look for a recognized safety certification mark on the unit or box.
- Read the manual and keep it somewhere you can find it.
Room-by-room checklist
Bedroom
Keep the heater at least three feet from beds, curtains and clothing. Turn it off before you fall asleep, or use one with a timer.
Home office
Place it on a hard, level floor, never on a rug, desk clutter or a stack of papers. Keep cords out of walkways.
Kids' rooms and living areas
Choose a model with a cool-touch housing and make a "kid-free zone" around it. Never let pets nap against it.
Bathroom and garage
Skip them unless the heater is specifically rated for damp or workshop use. Water and fumes don't mix with heating elements.
Back it up
Every home should have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly. A fire blanket mounted near the kitchen adds a fast first response for small fires.
Quick recap
- Three feet of clear space.
- Wall outlet only.
- Off when you leave or sleep.
- Working alarms on every level.
