Electrical Safety Advice for Portable Heaters

Portable heaters usage and safety

Portable heaters help you stay safe and warm in winter but choosing the right one for your needs and using it carefully is important to prevent the risk of fire.

There are many different types of portable electric heaters, and each type comes with its own set of advantages and risks. Some of the most popular are convection heaters, halogen heaters, fan heaters, and oil filled radiators.

Halogen heaters radiate infra-red light using elements enclosed in lamps or bulbs which directly heats objects rather than heating the air. It is important to keep this heater a safe distance away from flammable materials such as curtains, bedding, and furniture – and people. As some halogen heaters can be prone to toppling over, buy one fitted with a tip-over switch and cool to touch.
Fan heaters use a coil of wire to heat the air around it and then force that air into the room with a fan. They are usually small, cheaper, and provide instant heat but can be noisy. It is important vents are kept clear and that the flow of air is not restricted by dust and fluff. The hot air can be intense so this heater must be kept away from flammable materials such as curtains, bedding, furniture – and people.
Convection heaters are similar to fan heaters as they also heat the air in the room using a coil of wire. The heated air rises and is replaced by cooler air which is then also heated. This cycle continues until the room reaches the set temperature. They tend to be larger than fan heaters and heat the room more slowly, plus they need clear space above and around them to work effectively. Overheating can happen if air grilles are blocked or if dust and debris accumulate inside.
Oil-filled radiators also use a coil of wire but to heat a reservoir of oil which circulates around the appliance to heat metal fins. As the fins get hotter, the surface temperature does too, and heat is released to the air. They do take longer to warm up but also continue to give out heat after being switched off. They are generally more economical to run but the fins can stay hot after use so keep children away from them until they have cooled.

Key points

All portable heaters must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug.

Whichever type you choose, avoid buying second-hand heaters.

Be careful where you place a heater to avoid knocking it over.

It is recommended not to use a portable heater overnight.

Use smoke alarms or heat detectors nearby.

Buying a portable heater

Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as it may not have passed all the necessary safety checks.
Avoid buying second-hand heaters as they may not meet current safety standards.
Register your heater so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall. It’s also much easier to return a faulty product or order a repair if it’s registered.

Using a portable heater safely

Most portable heater fires are caused by people making basic mistakes that could easily be avoided, such as knocking heaters over – easily done, particularly if there are young children or pets nearby.
Put your heater on a level surface, well away from anything that could knock it over. And make sure it is at least one metre away from combustible materials, such as paper, furniture, or curtains.
Never dry clothes directly on or close to your heater. If you need to dry clothes in the same room as your heater (or an open fire) place them well away from the heat to reduce the risk of a fire.
Never leave your heater unattended while in use or while you are asleep. And avoid powering a heater from an extension lead as they can easily be overloaded.

ALWAYS

Do plenty of research first before buying.

Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.

Keep all combustible materials at least one metre away from the heater.

AVOID

Buying second-hand or from third-party sellers online.

Drying clothes directly on or close to your heater.

Plugging a heater into an extension lead.

Leaving a heater unattended or using it while you are asleep.

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician.

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

When does a periodic inspection need to be carried out?

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

3 years for a caravan
1 year for a swimming pool

Who should carry out a periodic inspection?

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

My electrician told me that they were registered; however I now believe that they are not, as they have not given me a certificate. What should I do?

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

Running heaters overnight is not recommended. However, if you choose to do so, please use a heater which is relatively low risk in terms of igniting any items nearby, such as an oil filled radiator.

And please follow some simple safety tips to keep safe while you sleep.

Keep all combustible items at least one metre away from the heater, such as paper, bedding curtains and furniture
Place the heater out of the way, so you do not trip over the lead or heater if you need to get up in the night.

Use at least one smoke alarm or heat detector per floor and enough to cover all areas where a fire could start. Make sure they are tested regularly.

Warm the room before bedtime. An oil-filled radiator will keep a room warm for quite a while after being turned off.

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

Check your appliances

Portable heaters