Space heater fires

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heater fires are mostly caused when a heater is placed too close to curtains, bedding, or upholstered furniture. Space heaters contribute to 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths annually. Additionally, 6,000 people end up in emergency rooms with burns from contact with a heater's hot surface. If a heater can cause cotton to ignite when operating on its hottest setting, it receives a Poor rating in the Consumer Product Safety Commission fire-safety test. When purchasing a new space heater, make sure it has a safety certification, shutoff features, and a tip-over switch that automatically shuts the heater off. You'll also want to make sure it has a sturdy cord and a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter plug. Most space heaters do not have a GFCI plug to prevent shock, and space heaters should not be used on power strips or with extension cords.