As a severe cold snap grips the nation, safety specialists have issued an urgent warning to Britons using electric heaters, highlighting one common error that could have devastating consequences.
The Critical Mistake You Must Avoid
The specialists at DRA PAT Testing have delivered a stark message, stating emphatically that you should "do not ever" plug electric heaters of any kind into an extension lead. This widespread practice, often adopted for convenience, poses a severe overheating and fire hazard.
Their urgent guidance insists that portable heaters should only be plugged directly into a wall mains socket. The firm recounted a chilling real-life example from an office where this advice was ignored. A heater plugged into an extension lead caused the extension socket to overheat, melt, and effectively catch fire, with the accompanying image showing significant burn damage to the plug.
Essential Safety Rules for Heater Use
Beyond the primary warning, DRA PAT Testing provided a list of four essential safety recommendations for anyone using an electric heater:
- Do not pull the heater plug out of the wall by its flex or cable.
- Do not leave the heater unattended while it is in operation.
- Do not plug the heater into an extension lead under any circumstances.
- Always unplug the heater completely when you leave the room.
They further advised against leaving heaters on permanently, suggesting that if a room consistently fails to get warm enough, homeowners should consider investing in a more efficient, permanent heating solution rather than relying on a portable device.
Expert Electrician Backs the Warning
This critical safety advice is strongly supported by other professionals in the field. Electrician Adam Nelson, in a discussion with Homes and Gardens, confirmed the danger. He stated that space heaters are a "natural fire risk" and should always be plugged directly into wall outlets. This practice helps secure them to the circuit breakers in your main electrical panel, thereby preventing dangerous overloads that can lead to fires.
With temperatures continuing to plummet across the UK, this warning serves as a vital reminder that staying warm should never come at the cost of safety.
