Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips

As temperatures drop below freezing throughout the country, some people might be breaking out their space heaters for added warmth in their homes.

That’s led many people to share warnings about space heaters on social media. The posts warn against plugging space heaters into extension cords or power strips because doing so could start a fire. 

THE QUESTION

Is it unsafe to plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips?

THE SOURCES

• The American Red Cross
• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Electrical Safety Foundation
• An article on realtor.com 
• Tom’s Guide, an online resource for product reviews and information
• Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 in Oregon
• Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 in Idaho

THE ANSWER

It is unsafe to plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips. Space heaters need to be plugged directly into a wall outlet to help prevent a fire. 

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WHAT WE FOUND

The federal government’s U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Red Cross and firefighters in multiple states warn against plugging space heaters into extension cords or power strips.

Most extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle the high electrical current of space heaters, an article on realtor.com says. This can cause the cord or strip to overheat and potentially start a fire, according to our sources.

Space heaters need to be plugged directly into wall outlets, the Red Cross and CPSC say.

People should not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the space heater, either, according to the nonprofit Electrical Safety Foundation. This could also result in the outlet overheating, Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 in Oregon says. 

There are other safety tips to keep in mind when you’re using a space heater, too. 

First, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a tile floor. Space heaters should not be placed on rugs and carpets, cabinets, tables or other furniture, which can overheat and start a fire, the Red Cross and Electrical Safety Foundation say. 

People with fully carpeted homes may consider investing in a hard surface to place the space heater on, making it safer to use, Tom’s Guide, an online resource for product reviews and information, says.

Your space heater or other heating equipment should also be placed at least three feet away from anything that can burn, such as bedding, drapes, rugs, papers or clothing.

It’s not safe to leave space heaters on overnight, either. The Red Cross and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) say people need to turn them off every time they leave a room or go to sleep. 

If you are using a fuel-burning portable heater, it should never be refueled while it’s in use, the CPSC says. People should turn off the heater and allow it to cool down before refueling it.

The NFPA has more fire safety tips for cold weather on its website.