The weather is getting colder, and people are pulling out their space heaters. The Corona de Tucson Fire Department Fire Marshal wants to remind you that you should NEVER plug a space heater into a power strip. These units are not designed to handle the high current flow needed for a space heater and can overheat or even catch fire due to the added energy flow.
These images show what happens when a surge protector or power strip is misused. The point comes down to proper use. Even the best equipment can fail if not used correctly. No one manufacture is at fault, yet it’s all about the end users ability to use the product safely.
Also, please be aware that extension cords aren’t designed to handle the current flow produced by a space heater. Plugging a portable heater into an extension cord can lead to overheating and fire. Extension cord misuse is a major cause of fires in the USA. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), you should also never use multiple extension cords with a single outlet, or chain them together, because of the risk of electrical overload.
Space heaters use an incredible amount of energy to produce their warming heat — between 10,000 and 40,000 BTU per hour, noted the Department of Energy. Basically, these machines get crazy hot, and 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths per year are associated with them, according to U.S. Product Safety Commission estimates. Additionally, 6,000 emergency room visits result from contact burns when adults and children accidentally touch a space heater. “Another big mistake is putting something too close to a heating source,” says Corona de Tucson Fire Marshal Charlotte Herdliska. “Keep anything that can burn 3 feet away from space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and radiators.” Remember that skin burns too. Make sure that people and pets stay 3 feet away.
Corona de Tucson Fire Marshal: Charlotte Herdliska (520) 762-9370 cherdliska@coronafire.org
