Why do space heaters catch fire?
Space heaters function by emitting a great amount of heat. So if this heat is continuously directed to a flammable object, it won't take long before the object catches fire. As a matter of fact, this is the most common way in which space heater causes fire in the house. When the heat comes in direct contact with flammable objects.
Can a space heater start a fire?
While electric space heaters can help keep room temperatures warm, they can also be dangerous and cause fires. Space heaters should never be left unattended or used within three feet of any combustibles and should always be plugged directly into an outlet.
Are space heaters a fire hazard?
The top issue with space heaters is that they are indeed a significant fire hazard. According to the US Department of Energy and their work with the Consumer Product Safety Commission: 25,000 residential fires every year are linked to space heater use; More than 300 deaths result from these fires; About 6,000 people visit the emergency room for burn injuries linked to space heaters
Are most house fires started by space heaters?
But like every other thing with advantages, it comes with its own disadvantages as well. According to the research published by Iowa State University, corroborated by data from the National Fire Protection Association, most fire incident in the house is caused by a space heater.
How likely is it for a space heater to catch fire?
Space heaters cause about 1,700 fires a year nationwide. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), they are the culprits in 81% of fatal house fires caused by heat. More than half of the fires caused by heating equipment between 2014 and 2018 occurred in the month of January.
What causes space heaters to start fires?
The leading cause of space heater fires is heating equipment placed too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, curtains, bedding, paper, or flammable liquids. If ignition is sparked by a heater left on and unattended, a major fire can easily result.
Is it OK to leave space heaters on overnight?
Never leave your space heater alone in the room The best way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended—that way, if anything does go wrong, you can take action quickly.
How long can space heaters be left on?
How Long Can Space Heaters Be Left On? Thanks to modern advances in space heater technology, it's possible to leave space heaters on for quite a long time. If you have an upscale heater, you can easily leave it on for 10 hours or more without an issue.
How safe are space heaters?
Safety First Space heaters account for one-third of all home fires and four out of five home-heating fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Make sure your home's smoke alarms are working properly.
How many fires a year are caused by space heaters?
CPSC estimates that space heaters, including both fixed and portable heaters, are associated with about 21,800 residential fires every year. About 300 people die each year in fires started by these heaters.
What is the safest heater to leave on overnight?
Oil heater This is one of the safest types of heaters. The heating element in an oil heater is encased in a metal body, which makes it safe to touch and unlikely to overheat or burn any parts of your home.
What is the safest type of space heater?
Sealed combustion heaters are much safer to operate than other types of space heaters, and operate more efficiently because they do not draw in the heated air from the room and exhaust it to the outdoors. They are also less likely to backdraft and adversely affect indoor air quality.
What is the safest heater for a bedroom?
Our Pick for Safest Space HeatersLasko 755320 Ceramic Space Tower Heater.Vornado OSCTH1 Oscillating Tower Heater.Honeywell UberHeat Ceramic Personal Heater.Vornado VHEAT Vintage Metal Heater.Comfort Zone Fan-Assisted Tower Radiant Quartz Heater.Dr Infrared Heater DR-978 Infrared Space Heater.More items...•
Can you leave a space heater on 24 7?
Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat; don't use them to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes. Run it in spurts. Only use your heater for short periods of time; it shouldn't be left on 24/7.
What do you do when a space heater catches on fire?
If your space heater catches fire, call 911 immediately. If possible, close the door to the room where the space heater is located before exiting the building. Firefighters, make space heater safety a part of your life safety messaging, and share these tips with your community.
Where should a space heater be placed?
Heaters are best placed under windows. If you do not have the space for panel heaters, you can also choose wall strip panel heaters, which are lower and longer variants. By placing heaters under the windows, you heat up cold air descending from the window glass, and avoid cold draughts along the floor.
What type of space heaters cause house fires?
Whether radiant or convection heaters, electric heaters can cause shock if components such as the cord, plug or housing are damaged and allow exposure to electrical current. This could ignite a fire or cause an electrical burn.
What percent of house fires are caused by space heaters?
A vast majority of home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters. Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in January, February, and December.
What is the safest space heater?
The Lasko Ceramic space heater is widely regarded as one of the cheapest, safest and most reliable portable space heaters in the market. It's the perfect description for a small space heater as it's only about the size of a loaf of bread.
How Are Space Heaters Regulated?
Space heaters are regulated by three of the most important federal agencies:
What happens if you leak oil in a space heater?
4. Oil Heaters: These space heaters have a fuel tank that heats the oil and transfers the energy to a fan. If the oil leaks out, it could start a fire.
What is the difference between a fan heater and a convection heater?
Instead, these types of space heaters rely on electricity to produce the energy needed to warm a room ’s occupants . Like convection heaters, users must have them set at a low enough level to avoid starting fires.
What temperature do convection heaters operate at?
They operate at temperatures between 100 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Since they emit high levels of heat, convection heater users should be sure to monitor the heat level at all times to prevent a fire from occurring.
How far away should electric heaters be from flammable objects?
Hence, there is a caution on most electric space heaters that states they should be kept at least three feet away from flammable objects.
How many amps does a 1500 watt heater use?
The lower the rating, the more watts per amp (w/a). For example, a 1500-watt heater uses 12.5 amps when executing heat.
Why do people have fires?
Heating equipment is one of the most common reasons for fires in American homes, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
2. Know how your space heater works
Knowledge is power, and that goes for understanding how your space heater actually creates heat. Some of the primary types of space heaters available include mica heaters, ceramic fan-forced heaters, and oil-filled convection heaters, as well as those that use infrared technology.
3. Always supervise your space heaters (A fire can begin in a moment when a space heater is unattended)
Experts from the NFPA recommend remaining in the room while you use a space heater there — and supervising it closely. This means never using a space heater while you sleep or keeping it on when you leave the room. Leaving a space heater unsupervised increases the chance of creating a fire hazard that can’t be immediately stopped in its tracks.
4. Give your space heater space and stability
For fire safety reasons, the NFPA suggests leaving at least a 3-foot gap between a space heater and any object that can burn, such as rugs, upholstery, curtains, paper, or blankets.
5. Keep hot-to-touch heaters away from people and pets and anything flammable
NFPA’s 3-foot space rule applies to people and pets, too. Don’t place a space heater in a high traffic area or hallway—this way, you (or your children or fur babies) won’t walk or run into it.
What are space heaters?
A space heater is a device used to heat a single, small-to-medium sized area. These devices, especially portable ones, are usually electric, although some stationary space heaters require a burnable fuel, such as natural gas, propane, or wood pellets.
How can space heaters cause fires?
Electric space heaters can cause fires when they are placed too close to combustible objects, such as furniture, clothing, bedding or mattresses. Most manufacturers warn consumers to keep the heater at least three feet away from all combustibles.
Can Space Heaters Cause Fires?
Vital safety and preventive measures are recommended in the usage and storage of space heaters. They are electrical devices, and like any other electrical device, they have electrical hazards. Not only that, but they also possess fire hazards and are the leading cause of home fires.
Conclusion
Space heaters are increasingly popular due to their portability, cost efficiency, and usage in any indoor area. But the user should use these appliances with care because they are the primary cause of house fires and casualties. Under any circumstances, they should not be left unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite these safety measures, If the fire is caused by a space heater or any other appliance in the house. Follow these steps: 1: Try to remain calm and examine the situation 2: Use the escape route to get out of the house immediately 3: Try to keep your head near the ground.
Why do space heaters burn?
While most space heater fires are caused by proximity to combustibles, there are instances where space heaters can overheat and cause the units to melt, then ignite nearby available materials. Below are examples of space heaters that have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov:
How many people died in the space heater fire?
As a result of these fires, there were 490 civilian deaths, 1,400 civilian injuries, and one billion dollars in direct property damage. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that approximately 1,200 fires a year are caused by portable electric space heaters.
How many Duraflame heaters were recalled?
Twin Star recalled 31,000 Duraflame heaters that were overheating, then melting, then potentially igniting nearby materials. There were 32 reports of heaters burning or melting.
Why should a fire scene be secured?
In the event of a fire, the fire scene should be protected and secured to prevent spoliation of the scene before a qualified fire origin and cause investigator can inspect the site. If the electric space heater is determined to be the cause of a fire, the unit and any parts should be secured and protected.
What is the second most common fire hazard associated with portable electric heaters?
The second most common fire hazard associated with portable electric heaters is their proximity to common combustibles. Most portable heaters warn consumers to maintain a minimum of three feet of clearance from all combustibles. Many newer space heaters have safety features that will eliminate the heat or shut the appliance off if the space heater overheats or falls. Most, however, can’t detect if the objects around them are overheating or are in danger of ignition.
What is the purpose of oil in a convection heater?
Oil heaters, which are another type of convection heater where the casing of the heater is filled with oil that is used as a heat reservoir providing more even heating. To understand how space heaters cause fires, it’s important to know the basic dangers of the appliance.
What is a ceramic heater?
Ceramic heaters, which contain a heating element that reaches a high temperature and the element is usually packaged inside a glass envelope. Convection heaters, which contain a heating element that operates by air movement as the air circulates through the body of the appliance and across the heating element.
