A stark safety warning has been issued to UK households relying on portable electric or gas heaters to stay warm this December. The alert comes from life insurance provider Life Pro and electrical safety experts, who have outlined five critical rules to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Five Essential Safety Rules
Life Pro's spokesperson emphasised that anyone using a portable heater must adhere to these guidelines to ensure their household's safety. The first rule is to always place the heater on a flat, firm surface, keeping it well away from potential fire hazards like beds, sofas, curtains, and piles of clothing.
Secondly, and perhaps most urgently, experts state you should never place any items on top of a heater. Thirdly, always ensure the device is completely turned off before you go to sleep or leave the house.
For those with gas appliances, a fourth vital rule is to never use a gas oven to heat a room, as this can lead to a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide. Finally, any gas heater, boiler, or fire must be serviced regularly by a qualified engineer, and every home must have a working carbon monoxide alarm that is tested frequently, just like a smoke alarm.
The Critical Mistake: Heaters and Extension Leads
Electrical firm DRA Electricals has issued a particularly forceful warning based on real-world incidents. "We cannot stress the importance of this enough – please, please, please do not, ever, plug electric heaters of any kind into extension leads," the company stated on its website.
Heaters must only be plugged directly into a wall socket. DRA Electricals shared a cautionary tale from a recent visit to a business. They found a heater plugged into an overloaded extension lead, which was itself coiled on a cable reel. Despite advising staff to plug the heater directly into the wall, their guidance was ignored.
The very next day, the manager reported that the heater had been plugged back into the extension lead. This caused the extension socket to overheat and melt, resulting in a fire. "Technically it did catch fire, although no actual flames were seen," DRA reported. "We're just glad it happened when someone was in the room, and not during the night."
Long-Term Solutions and Final Advice
DRA Electricals also advises against leaving heaters on permanently. If a room consistently isn't warm enough, they recommend considering a more efficient, permanent heating solution rather than relying on a portable device.
For those who must use an extension reel for other appliances, the firm stresses the importance of always fully unwinding the cable to prevent overheating. The combined warnings from Life Pro and DRA Electricals highlight a significant seasonal risk as temperatures drop and households seek extra warmth. Following these five rules could be the difference between a cosy home and a catastrophic incident.
