Winter heating is essential in chilly countries. One of the best ways to create a super-cozy environment for getting through the winter is by using small space heaters and electric fireplaces to make your home feel warm, cozy, and inviting. However, using any hot appliance can pose safety risks.
From space heater safety tips to fireplace placement, keep reading for practical tips on how to stay safe and warm at home this winter.
Why safety matters (yes, even for space heaters!)
Space heaters and electric fireplaces are safe to use at home, but it’s crucial to use them properly. Just like any other heat source, they can pose a fire risk. From overheating to tipping over, sparking out, or creating flammable hot spots on your textiles, they have to be used responsibly.
House fires typically originate in the kitchen—almost half of all house fires start due to cooking. (It turns out that The Sims wasn’t wrong to teach us all about the risks of using the stove!) Heating accounts for a much smaller percentage of house fires, but practicing responsible heater safety at home can help reduce that risk even further.
There’s nothing wrong with layering heat sources and other décor items to create a cozy atmosphere. You just need to make sure that you’re not creating safety hazards while doing so. That means never leaving candles burning unattended, keeping freestanding electric fireplaces clear of anything flammable, and practicing smart fire safety around wood burning fireplaces both indoors and outdoors.
7 safety tips for selecting, setting up, and using electric heaters
It’s easy to learn how to safely use space heaters. Electric space heaters are the standard when it comes to heater safety, so they’re a great starting point for learning the basics. They’re compact, predictable, and powered by regular electricity. (Even oil and infrared space heaters are electric; they use different methods of warming, but they’re still powered by electricity.)
Once you know the basics of safely using a space heater, it’s easy to apply those same rules to any heating appliance. These space heater safety tips have you covered for electric space heaters, oil-filled space heaters, infrared space heaters, and electric fireplaces.
1. Keep space heaters one metre away from anything flammable
Space heaters of any type should be positioned a metre away from flammable materials. That includes things like bedding, textiles, curtains, clothes, and furniture. When flammable materials sit too close to a heater, the intensity of the heat can set those materials on fire. That’s also why it’s important to keep your heater upright on a flat, hard surface. Rugs, carpets, and other flooring materials can also be flammable.
2. Never leave heaters on while unattended (including while sleeping or leaving the house)
Space heaters can overheat or get knocked over when no one’s around to catch it. Turning them off before you leave the room, head out, or go to sleep is the easiest way to prevent accidents.
3. Make sure to plug them directly into your wall outlet
Space heaters pull a lot of power, and extension cords or power bars can easily overheat under that load. Plugging directly into a wall keeps the heater stable and reduces the chance of electrical fires. It also cuts down on tripping hazards from loose or overstretched cords.
4. Regularly maintain space heaters and other portable heat sources
Regularly inspect the appliance and its cords and plugs for wear that could cause a spark. Vacuum or wipe off any accumulated dust on a regular basis while the heater is cool and unplugged.
5. Choose the right type of heater for your space
When you’re buying a new space heater, make sure it’s designed for the location it’ll be used in. That means buying the right heater for the room size and buying the right heater for the environment (especially important in smaller rooms.) Take special care when selecting heaters headed for areas like the bathroom and garage, as they need to be designed with extra safety precautions for things like dampness and the cold.
6. Check your heater model for safety features
Opt for heaters with good safety precautions already built in. You want a model that features tip-over protection, auto-shutoff, and cool-touch housing. This applies double for households with kids, pets, and people who may have more trouble responding promptly to a heater that’s in a walking path or has been knocked over. It’s important to know when your device has tipped over, and how to bump into it without getting burnt.
7. Place your space heaters and electric fireplaces in safe locations
If you already own a space heater or electric fireplace but your household needs are changing, don’t be afraid to change your device’s placement. Heaters just need to be set up on a flat, stable surface away from flammable items. That surface, however, doesn’t have to be the floor! Feel free to move your heater to a cleared-off side table or countertop to keep your heater away from kids and pets as your life changes. Just make sure after setup that there are no dangling cords that could be used to pull the heater down.
Electric fireplace safety guide: Why you should upgrade from a wood-burning fireplace
Electric fireplaces are another great option for creating warm, cozy rooms during the winter. They’re a big upgrade from a wood-burning fireplace, offering both warmth and flickering flames without the same safety risks. Electric fireplaces run with no smoke, no sparks, and no carbon monoxide. They’re cheaper to install, cost less to run over time, and have far fewer maintenance requirements than a wood-burning unit. (Those are far from the only reasons to opt for electric. Make sure you read my list of 10 reasons to opt for an electric fireplace if you haven’t already!)
If you’re looking to add a secondary heating source to areas in your home with limited ventilation, electric fireplaces are a great (and safe) choice. They’re a great option for living rooms, bedrooms, and especially basements, where the extra layer of coziness is always appreciated.
I grew up in the 90s, and I feel like every fancy home at the time had a wall-mounted electric fireplace in the basement. They were a great way to make the downstairs space feel more welcoming without introducing any breathing or fire safety risks. As kids, it was almost like an unwritten rule. Unfinished, un-warmed basements were scary. Basements with an electric fireplace were safe from monsters and the dark.
Are electric fireplaces safe? Yes, they’re a safe option for heating and ambiance that can operate both with and without their heating function. Look for models with safety features including tempered glass and overheat sensors to make the safest choice possible.
Family & pet safety considerations
Looking for the best, safest heaters for families? If your family includes kids or pets, it’s important to choose a modern heater or fireplace with a stable design. It’s easy for heaters to be knocked over while kids or pets are running around or playing, and that’s when they’re most likely to create a fire hazard.
Choose a heater or electric fireplace with a cool-touch exterior if you have pets or kids in the home. This, paired with the device’s auto-shutoff and safety functions, will help keep your family safe. (Most modern heaters turn off and emit a loud, constant beep or buzz when knocked over.)
Fireplace TV stands are a particularly popular zone heating choice for families. They offer the convenience of a multi-functional design, but they’re also just a safer choice overall for many families. Because their heating element is permanently set into a piece of furniture, it can’t be knocked over like a space heater or freestanding electric heater. Fireplace TV stands are also designed with cool-touch surfaces by default (to prevent damage to their TV stand half while turned on, as well as to the TV itself). They offer a stable, safe design that doesn’t get too hot.
Wall-mounted, recessed electric fireplaces are another great option for families. They typically feature cool-touch glass and can’t be knocked over. They also don’t feature any sharp corners that small children could bump into. They’re a great option for families with infants or toddlers.
Why zone heating is a great way to stay warm, safe, and cozy
Electric fireplaces and space heaters are a great way to heat your home while keeping your power bill down. Unlike your furnace, these smaller heaters let you warm only specific rooms to comfortable temperatures. You can keep unused, drafty, and open spaces cooler while you enjoy a toasty bedroom, den, or basement. I like to use zone heating in bathrooms, especially for early morning showers. Space heaters are a great way to enjoy a toasty bathroom without heating your whole home up before you head to school or work. If everyone’s gone from 8-5 anyways, why not leave your furnace on eco mode until you get home in the evening?
Zone heating, or “supplemental heating,” isn’t just a smart efficiency choice, but it’s also a great way to safely heat spaces up to above-normal temperatures. You can use timer and intensity functions on your electric fireplace or space heater to create a toasty post-shower bathroom without leaving your kids or pets languishing in 26-degree temperatures at the same time. Just make sure to follow safe fireplace and heater precautions no matter what, and keep things like water and towels away from your heat sources—even (and especially) in the bathroom.
When to replace or upgrade your heaters
Heaters and fireplaces should always be replaced at the earliest sign of wear and tear. Fire safety is not where you want to pinch pennies! While it’s perfectly safe to use other old household items like vintage tables or hand-me-down quilts, the same does not apply to heaters. Inspect your heaters and fireplaces regularly to make sure they’re in good working condition, and replace them as soon as you see wear to their cords, plugs, heating elements, or safety guard.
Replacing old fireplaces or heaters in good working condition can also be a smart move. Older models that lack modern safety features like tip-over protection and auto-off can still pose a safety risk, even if they don’t pose an electrical risk. Seasonal sales are a great way to upgrade these older models and replace them with alternatives that are safer to use.
Stay cozy in safety
Space heaters are a great way to warm up your home where you need it. By following these easy space heater safety tips for your heaters and electric fireplaces, you can reduce the risk of a house fire while still enjoying the comfy, cozy atmosphere that these devices have to offer.
Explore heaters and space heaters online at Best Buy Canada.
