An electrical safety charity is warning people not to put themselves in danger by using portable heaters inappropriately, as they look for ways to reduce the impact of s oaring energy bills.
Electrical Safety First said that although, in general, plug-in heaters are safe when used correctly, it is expecting to see an increase in people using them as an alternative to central heating, as households try to find ways to offset the 54 per cent increase in Ofgem's price cap.
While an electric heater may seem easy enough to operate, as it just needs to be plugged in, there are certain things you need to be aware of to make sure you’re not putting you or your family at risk.
Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, explains: "We anticipate millions more will turn to portable plug-in heaters in order to reduce their costs by heating single rooms in their home as an alternative to central heating.
"We urge the public to be cautious when using plug-in heaters to reduce the risk of fire.
"Never leave plug-in heaters unattended and ensure they are kept away from flammable fabrics.
"We understand this is a difficult time for many and we urge people to reduce their risk by always following our safety advice."
How to use a portable electric heater safely
Electrical Safety First has shared top tips for using a portable electric heater safely.
- Put your heater on a level surface, well away from anything or anyone that could knock it over
- Make sure your heater is at least one metre away from combustible materials such as paper, furniture or curtains
- Never use it to dry your clothes
- Never leave your heater unattended while in use
- Switch your heater off before going to sleep
- Never power a heater from an extension lead - they can easily be overloaded and cause fires
- Regularly inspect your heater for damage and deterioration - iIf it isn’t in good condition, don’t use it
- Avoid second-hand heaters
- Make sure you buy from manufacturers or retailers that you know and trust
- Read reviews about the heater you plan on buying to see if there have been any issues with that particular make or model
- Make sure that you register your heater with the manufacturer so that, if there is a problem, they can contact you to repair or replace it.
You can find out more about product registration at Electrical Safety First here.
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