Don't let a space heater burn your house down: Safety tips for homeowners

As the weather gets colder, you may be tempted to use a space heater to take the chill off.

Small space heaters are typically less expensive to use and allow you to target specific rooms instead of heating the your entire house. And according to CNET, operating a space heater costs just about 20 cents an hour.

But with that extra warmth for your toes, space heaters do come with dangers.

Should you be worried about space heater fires?

The majority of house fires are started by heating equipment. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates portable space heaters cause 1,700 home fires a year and lead to dozens of deaths and injuries. When those fires happen most frequently:

◾ During winter months. Nearly half (46%) occur from December through February.

◾ During overnight hours. Residents are slower to react when a fire starts at midnight to 6 a.m.

Winter months are leading time for home fires

National Fire Protection Association data show that the risk of a house fire increases with space heaters, chimney fires, candles and Christmas trees – all of which are most frequently in use in December, January and February.

Using a space heater? How to use one safely

In most cases, space heaters are left unsupervised or placed too close to combustible materials such as curtains and bedding. A fire can ignite when those materials come in contact with the heater's exposed heating coils or elements.

Heaters that run for long periods of time can also catch fire when their components, such as plastics and wiring, degrade and ignite.

How to prevent a space heater fire

Other safety guidelines:

◾ Don't use an extension cord. A space heaters should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Always check and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the use of extension cords. Avoid using the space heater's plug to charge other electronics; use that one outlet exclusively for the space heater.

◾ Choose a space heater that has a tip-over safety switch, which automatically turns off the heater if it topples.

◾ Keep cords above carpet or rugs. Placing them under rugs could cause the cords to overheat.

◾ And when the device is not being used, unplug it. Space heaters shouldn't be kept on all night or in a empty room. Make a habit of unplugging the power cord after every use to help prevent fires.

SOURCE National Fire Protection Association; Consumer Reports; Paste BN research