As winter approaches, many rely on space heaters for extra warmth, but firefighters are warning against a dangerous mistake:
never plug a space heater into a power strip. According to the Umatilla County Fire District in Oregon,
power strips can’t handle the high energy load and may overheat, potentially starting a fire.
This risk is real—one Ohio home was destroyed when a heater plugged into a strip ignited a fire.
Space heaters can reach temperatures up to 600°F, making safe usage critical.
To prevent accidents, always plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, keep flammable objects at least three feet away,
and only use them when you’re home and awake. Place heaters on flat, non-flammable surfaces and inspect regularly for damage. Choose models certified
by safety organizations and follow all instructions.Used correctly, space heaters can be safe—but misusing them could lead to devastating consequences.
