LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The arrival of colder weather in Arkansas brings up the old debate over what number on the thermostat is the most comfortable yet affordable— but it also means the risk of a home fire goes up.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the months of December through February are peak months for fires related to heating your home. Space heaters account for a third of those fires.
When the winter wind blows through central Arkansas, we all look for ways to stay warm. Whether you’re at the office or in your home, many people turn to space heaters as a cost-effective option to be cozy without turning up the thermostat.
Space heaters come in all sizes and provide just the right amount of heat, to take the chill from the air. But, many viral posts on social media claim that plugging a space heater into extension cords or power strips can start a fire.
So, is it unsafe to plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips? We checked in with the American Red Cross, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Fire Protection Association, and Electrical Safety Foundation to verify.
Space heaters require a high electrical current. Our sources said that most extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle the load, so plugging in a space heater can cause the cord or strip to overheat and start a fire.
Instead, the safest way to use your heater is by plugging it directly into a wall outlet, with no other devices plugged in with it. The Electrical Safety Foundation added that plugging multiple devices into the same outlet can also cause overheating and possibly, a fire.
This means we can verify, that yes, space heaters plugged into extension cords or power strips can be fire hazards.
There are also other safety tips when using a space heater. One precaution is making sure it sits on a level, nonflammable surface, like a tile floor. If your home is carpeted, the experts said it’s worth it to buy hard material on which to place your space heater.
Keep the unit three feet or more away from anything that can burn, like fabric, curtains, or paper and only use it while you’re awake and in the room. Space heaters are not meant to be left running overnight.