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Short answer: space heater safety comes down to three habits: keep the heater at least three feet from anything that can burn, plug it straight into a wall outlet, and never run it while you sleep. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also says to install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas.
How serious is the risk?
In a release dated Jan. 5, 2023, the CPSC said portable heaters, including electric space heaters, were tied to about 1,700 fires, 70 deaths and 160 injuries a year, based on 2017-2019 data. Fireplaces and chimneys were tied to about 15,800 fires, 20 deaths and 50 injuries a year. The agency also reported more than 800 deaths from portable generator carbon monoxide poisoning from 2011 through 2021. These are the most recent figures in the release; newer numbers may differ.
With the EIA expecting higher heating bills for electricity and heating oil households this winter, more people may turn to portable heaters to save money. That makes the rules worth knowing.
The CPSC’s space heater safety rules at a glance
| Heat source | Key rule |
|---|---|
| Portable heater | Keep at least three feet from drapes, furniture and bedding |
| Electric heater | Plug into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip |
| Any portable heater | Do not leave running while you sleep |
| Fuel-burning furnace, fireplace, wood stove | Annual professional inspection |
| Generator | Outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the home |
Source: CPSC release, Jan. 5, 2023. Date checked: Oct. 30, 2026.
Portable heaters
Refuel fuel-burning heaters only after turning them off and letting them cool. Do not leave a heater running unattended in a small space near infants or people with reduced abilities, because of the overheating risk. Check cpsc.gov/recalls before using household products in cold weather, and stop using any product that has been recalled.
Furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys
The CPSC recommends a professional inspection every year of all fuel-burning systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, water heaters, chimneys, flues and vents. Fireplace fires can start from a cracked, blocked or creosote-coated chimney, or from sparks reaching flammable materials. The agency calls carbon monoxide the “invisible killer,” and says improper installation, poor maintenance, blocked venting or misuse can cause poisoning.
Generators and power outages
Use a generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the home with the exhaust pointed away from buildings, and never inside a house, basement, shed or garage. Turn it off and let it cool before refueling. During an outage the CPSC recommends battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of candles, and says never to leave a candle burning unattended.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Install smoke alarms on every level and inside each bedroom. Place carbon monoxide alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. Battery-operated units or units with battery backup work best, and interconnected alarms are better still. Test monthly and replace batteries yearly, or use sealed 10-year batteries. Because the clocks change on Nov. 1, our guide to smoke alarm batteries is a natural time to check them. If heating costs are the worry, LIHEAP can help with bills so you are not tempted to use unsafe heat.
Editor’s take
Do this first: look at where your heater is plugged in. A heater on a power strip or extension cord, or sitting within three feet of a curtain or a bed, is the simplest fix on the list and addresses the exact hazards the CPSC calls out.
