Keep heaters well away from curtains, furniture, bedding and clothing.
Never use them for drying clothes. Turn heaters off when you go out or go to bed. Check regularly for damage and replace heaters that are old, faulty or unsafe.
Top 6 tips
- Keep portable heaters at least one metre away from anything that can burn.
- Never use a portable heater for drying clothes or towels.
- Turn heaters off when you leave the room, go out or go to bed.
- Use heaters on a flat, stable surface and choose a model with tip-over protection if possible.
- Check heaters, plugs and cables regularly for damage and replace unsafe equipment.
- Take extra care if children, pets or clutter are nearby.
Placement, distance and electrical safety
A simple rule is to keep heaters at least one metre away from curtains, furniture, bedding, clothing, paper and other flammable items.
Don't overload sockets or extension leads and avoid using damaged adaptors or coiled cable drums.
Night-time and unattended use
Portable heaters shouldn't be left running when a room is unoccupied. Turn them off when you leave the room, leave the house or go to bed, unless the manufacturer specifically states that the heater is designed for safe overnight use.
Gas or paraffin heaters
If you use a gas or paraffin heater, make sure the room is well ventilated. These heaters use oxygen and can become dangerous in a poorly ventilated space.
Smoke alarms and bedtime checks
Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly. Before bed, check that heaters are switched off, escape routes are clear and keys can be found quickly.