Winter means one thing: cold weather. Space heaters are an economical way to heat one or two rooms rather than your entire home. However, using a space heater requires an extra layer of caution. Fire Prevention Canada cites space heaters as one of the leading causes of residential fires.

Selecting Your Space Heater

Before purchasing a space heater, it is important to consider how it will be used. Will it be used to heat the cooler areas of your home, or will it be for emergency use?

These tips will help you select the best space heater for all your heating needs.

Choose a unit that carries a label from a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Intertek (ETL). This designation ensures the performance and construction of the product meets established safety standards.

Electric space heaters are generally safer than fuel-burning space heaters (gas, propane, kerosene)

Additionally, look for a space heater with an automatic shut-off that will be triggered when any of the following occur:

Overheating

Presence of carbon monoxide

The unit falls or is tipped over

Someone touches the front grille

Electric Space Heater Safety

Keep your space heater at least 1 meter away from any flammable materials, such as clothing or drapes.

The space heater should not be placed near flammable liquids, such as automotive, yard care, or housecleaning chemicals.

Avoid using your space heater to dry wet clothing.

Keep small children and pets away from your space heater. Curious hands and paws can easily become burned if they were to touch the front grill.

Avoid using your space heater in damp or wet areas such as the washroom or laundry room. If you want to heat your washroom, look for a space heater designed specifically for that purpose.

Plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet. Using an extension cord increases the risk of fire due to overheating.

Fuel-fired Space Heaters

For natural gas or propane-fired space heaters, keep these safety tips in mind:

If you smell gas, do not attempt to light the space heater. Turn off all controls, open a window or door and leave the area.

Propane is heavier than air and does not dissipate rapidly. If you do smell gas, do not use a landline phone, electrical appliances, or light switches. A small spark can trigger a fire.

Never leave children or pets unsupervised around a fuel-burning space heater.

Keep a window or door open when using a fuel-burning space heater. This will help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup or a depletion of oxygen. Never use a fuel-burning space heater in a confined space with poor ventilation. The results could be fatal.

All unvented fuel-fired heaters manufactured after 1983 should be equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). The ODS will shut off a heater if it detects the presence of carbon monoxide gas.

Discard or recycle any space heater that is not up to current safety standards or has been damaged in any way.

Follow all manufacturer guidelines when it comes to the servicing, repair, and maintenance of your space heater. Keep the rear grille clear of lint or dust. Inspect the space heater after every use.

Space heaters are a portable, convenient, and economical way to heat a single area of your home without relying on the furnace. By following these safety tips, you’ll keep your home and loved ones safe for many winters to come.