Space heaters responsible for 4 in 5 home heating fatalities

CONCORD — Nearly half of home heating fires happen in December, January and February. Most tend to involve space heaters, either portable or stationary, and the deadliest fires happen when heaters are too close to things that can burn, like clothing, bedding or furniture.

New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Parisi encourages residents to give space heaters plenty of space, and follow manufacturer’s instructions closely when using any type of heating equipment. That includes the furnace, wood or pellet stove, or any portable heater. “It’s tempting to put wet mittens or boots near the heater so they dry more quickly, or to sit close with a blanket to stay warm. But maintaining a safe perimeter is critical.”

There are many types of supplemental heaters, including electric, propane, and oil or kerosene, and variations within those categories, including convection, radiant and a combination. Each can be dangerous, and some aren’t meant for indoor use. Those that aren’t electric can quickly replace clean air with deadly carbon monoxide.

Parisi said, “If that sounds confusing, go take a look at what you’ve got. Become familiar and learn how to safely operate whichever kind you have. We know people have a variety of heating sources, especially in parts of the state that are prone to power outages. Just be careful. Space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths and really do require some knowledge to operate.” 

Important Safety Tips:

1. Know what kind of unit is being used, and become familiar with manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Put unit on a flat surface where it can’t be easily knocked over, not on top of a table or chair.
3. Inspect cords to make sure the heater’s power cord is not frayed or damaged. If the power cord feels hot to the touch, don’t use the heater. Call an electrician to inspect it.
4. Prevent electrocution by keeping heaters away from water.
5. Make sure children stay away from an open heater.
6. Monitor heaters while in use, and turn off and unplug if leaving the area.
7. Keep space heaters away from walkways, exits, or congested areas.
8. Plug heater cords directly into an outlet. Do not run the power cord underneath carpets, rugs or furniture.
9. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
10. Check the town’s website or call to see if they have additional ordinances related to space heaters. 

Parisi emphasized, “Do not simply remove a heater from its packaging and turn it on. If your instructions have found their way to the trash, look for the unit’s make and model number - you can often find the manufacturer’s operating instructions online.”