Electric heaters may pose fire risks despite savings

People are being alerted to the fire risks of unsafe use of electric heaters as they try to keep down costs during the winter.

The popularity of portable machines to heat a single room has increased as energy bills have soared.

The charity ’Electrical Safety First’ has highlighted the dangers of leaving the heaters unattended, on unstable surfaces, or when used to dry clothes.

Firefighters described shocking cases, some of which have led to deaths.

Although electric heaters were not inherently dangerous, the charity said, they could cause devastating fires if not used with care. Fan heaters posed a greater risk in the home, it said.

"Heating your home should never come at the expense of your own safety. While portable heaters can be useful to heat a small space, they can pose a real risk to your home and your life if mistakes are made when using them," said Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First. With the significant number of people set to turn to these appliances this winter, it is vital we use them safely."

Ben Turner, from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters were called to a house fire caused by an electric heater which claimed the life of an elderly man. The fire had started by the heater being too close to the fabric of the armchair, which had ignited and engulfed it in flames."

In another incident a fire started when a heater was knocked over.

People are being urged to use heaters safely, due to the risks

Electrical Safety First is urging people using heaters to ensure:

• the device is on a level surface, well away from anything or anyone that could knock it over
• it is well away from combustible materials, such as paper, furniture or curtains
• it is never used to dry clothes
• it is never left unattended for long periods while in use, or while you are asleep
• extension leads are not used to power a heater as they can easily be overloaded
• you regularly inspect your heater for damage and deterioration