Despite increased public awareness and improvements in technology, portable heaters still account for thousands of fires annually, with almost a like number of portable kerosene heater fires. Information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicate portable kerosene or electric heaters are one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths.
Why do these fires tend to be so deadly? One reason is people place portable heaters in bedrooms and run them during the night. Faulty heaters cause many fires, but carelessly thrown clothing and bed covers can easily make contact with the heater if proper precautions are not taken. If a fire breaks out, and family members wake, they often find themselves trapped in their bedrooms because of the placement of the heater in the exit path and fast spread of the fire. They are often overcome by toxic smoke before they are fully awake and cannot react quickly, if at all.
Homeowners are advised to purchase only Underwriter Laboratory (UL) listed units with the latest safety features (like a tip-over shut-off). Use portable heaters only sparingly for temporary heat. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and all label warnings. Keep combustibles at least three feet away.
All portable heaters should be checked at the start of the season and periodically thruout the season to make sure neither the heater nor cords are frayed. With electric units look for any signs the cord has overheated. If there are signs of damage, it is best to discard the heater. Portable electric heaters should never be used with extension cords.
The CPSC estimated that almost half of the deaths could be prevented if consumers stopped using portable heaters overnight. If one must be used at night, they should not be positioned along escape routes and an adequate distance should be maintained between the heater and any flammable materials. Also, a properly functioning smoke/fire detector should be installed in the heated room to provide an early warning of danger.
