Fire Safety and Portable Heaters

Portable heaters can be an effective way to heat a room without heating the whole house or when the property doesn’t have the benefit of a central heating system, however they can also pose a serious fire hazard when not used carefully.  This is especially true when being used by people unfamiliar with a premises.

Some general rules for Portable heaters

• Always use on a flat surface
• Leave at least 1 meter clearance to furniture and curtains.
• Buy one with a trip switch in case it gets knocked over (ie. By the dog).
• Never cover your heater or use to dry clothes.
• Never use a faulty heater.

Types of Portable Heaters

Oil filled radiators – Relatively low risk

These are often on wheels and are quite heavy so less likely to be knocked over. They don’t have any exposed heating elements so are less likely to ignite anything.  They take a while to heat up, but retain the heat for longer.  They can have timers and thermostats to help control the heat.

Electric Convector and Fan Heaters – Higher risk

These are usually light weight and easy to move around, so very easy to accidentally place near combustibles.  They heat up quickly and some get very hot to touch.  Heat is instant but often quite localised.    Vents are often on the top and can easily have items dropped into the heater causing them to overheat and set fire. Some have timers and thermostats.

Halogen heaters – High Risk

These heaters use intense heat to warm the area around them, they get extremely hot but do not spread the heat into a larger room, so the tendency is to crowd the heater.  Some are very portable and lightweight and easy to knock over.  The majority have an inbuilt trip switch, but this may not stop something igniting due to retained heat. Anything close to a halogen heater, material or flesh will burn.

Portable Gas Heaters – Double Risk

These are quite bulky and unlikely to be knocked over due to the gas cylinder.  They are effective in heating rooms quickly.  These require a lot of space and usually have a guard on the front to protect the heated elements and flame.  Anything too close or poking through the guard will burn.  There is the additional risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and they require an alarm to be sited in the room they are used in.  Gas heaters should be serviced every year.  Spare cylinders should be stored safely outside away from sunlight and protected from the weather.

Clothes Dryers - Safe

These are not for heating rooms but are becoming more popular to help dry clothes efficiently.  These are safe if used to the manufacturers instructions and they are undamaged. They should be kept away from any other source of ignition.