People are being made aware of the fire risks of unsafe use of electric heaters as they try to keep costs down during the winter.
The popularity of portable units for heating a single room has increased as energy bills have skyrocketed.
However, charity Electrical Safety First has highlighted the dangers of leaving heaters unattended, on unstable surfaces or drying clothes.
Firefighters described shocking cases, some of which have resulted in deaths.
Although electric heaters are not inherently dangerous, they could cause devastating fires if not used with care, the charity said. Fan heaters posed a greater risk in the home, it said.
“Heating your home should never be at the expense of your own safety. While portable heaters can be useful for heating a small space, they can pose a real risk to your home and life if mistakes are made while using them,” said Lesley Rudd, chief executive officer of Electrical Safety First.
“With the significant number of people who will be turning to these devices this winter, it’s important that we use them safely.”
- “Everyone is in one room, like in the old days”
- Why smart thermostats don’t always save money
Ben Turner of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were called to a house fire caused by an electric heater that killed an elderly man.
“While fighting the fire, the respiratory protection team discovered the gentleman still in his armchair. Nothing prepares you for that,” he said.
“The fire was caused by the heater being too close to the fabric of the armchair, which caught fire and burst into flames.”
Another crew spoke of walking through a burned-out house after a fire broke out when a heater was knocked over.
Electrical Safety First urges people who use heaters to ensure the following:
- the device is on a level surface and away from objects or people who could knock it over
- It is far from flammable materials such as paper, furniture or curtains
- It is never used to dry clothes
- It should never be left unattended for long periods of time during use or while you are sleeping
- Extension cords are not used to power a heater as they are easily overloaded
- you regularly check your heater for damage and wear and tear
A survey of 3,000 people by the charity found that 42% of respondents definitely use or are considering using an electric heater to heat a single room in their home due to concerns about the rising cost of central heating.
That was an 8% increase from a similar survey a year ago, when bills were already rising. A third of those surveyed are planning to use a heater for the first time.
Other advice available on the charity’s website includes buying the heater from a reputable retailer, checking for recalls and making sure there is a working smoke alarm installed on every floor of the home.
Add Comment