FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2003
Release # 04-054
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC Offers Tips to Prevent Home Fires From Space Heaters
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
reminds consumers to follow safety precautions when purchasing and using
electric or fuel-fired space heaters. In a recent year, there were about
10,900 residential fires and about 190 deaths associated with portable
or fixed local heaters.
Fuel-burning space heaters also can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and
indoor air pollution because of improper venting or incomplete
combustion.
"CPSC has worked with industry to improve safety standards for space
heaters," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton, "but consumers must exercise
care in how they use space heaters."
- Choose a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety
standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features, while older
space heaters may not meet the newer safety standards. CPSC worked to
upgrade industry standards for electric, kerosene, and vented and
unvented gas space heaters. An automatic cut-off device is now required
to turn off electric or kerosene heaters if they tip over. More guarding
around the heating coils of electric heaters and the burner of kerosene
heaters also is required to prevent fires. CPSC worked to upgrade the
industry standard for unvented gas heaters to provide an oxygen
depletion sensor to shut off the heater if the oxygen level drops too
low. CPSC and industry amended the vented heater standard to provide a
spill switch to turn off the heater if the vent is blocked or
disconnected.
- Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or heating
element. Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not
on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep the heater at least
three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture, or other flammable
materials.
- Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an unvented
fuel-burning space heater. This helps prevent pollutant build-up and
promotes proper combustion. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to
provide sufficient combustion air to prevent CO production.
- Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep. Never place a
space heater close to any sleeping person.
- Turn the space heater off if you leave the area. Keep children and
pets away from space heaters.
- Have a smoke alarm with fresh batteries on each level of the house and
inside every bedroom. In addition, have a carbon monoxide alarm outside
the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area.
- Be aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating
equipment.
- Have gas and kerosene space heaters inspected annually.