As a bitter cold snap tightens its grip on Britain, households are being urged to avoid a potentially deadly error when using portable electric heaters. Safety specialists have issued a stark warning that a widespread practice could dramatically increase the risk of a house fire.
The Critical Safety Rule You Must Follow
With temperatures plummeting, many are turning to portable electric heaters for a quick and cost-effective warmth boost. However, experts from Hawkesworth Appliance Testing Ltd have highlighted one crucial mistake: never plug your heater into an extension lead or power strip.
The firm advises that heaters should always be plugged directly into a wall socket. "Plugging it into an extension lead can not only cause it to overheat, but the trailing cables can make it easier for people to knock the heater over," they explained. This simple act of using an extension cord creates a dual hazard of both electrical overload and physical instability.
Why Extension Cords Can't Handle the Heat
This warning is echoed by electrical professionals on both sides of the Atlantic. Teams at O'Brien Electrical Contractors in the US stress that operating any space heater through an extension cord is inherently risky. "No matter how heavy duty or 'powerful' you believe an extension cord or power strip is, never plug a heater into it," they stated.
The reason lies in the immense electrical current, or load, that portable heating elements demand. Extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle this sustained high load. The result is that the cord itself can overheat, potentially melting the insulation or the plug. This overheating is a primary catalyst for electrical fires, which are among the most dangerous types of blazes in a home.
Expert Electrician Backs the Warning
Qualified electrician Adam Nelson reinforced this guidance in a discussion with Homes and Gardens. He emphasised that space heaters are a natural fire risk and should always be connected to a direct outlet. This practice helps ensure the appliance is protected by the circuit breakers in your home's main electrical panel, providing a vital safeguard against dangerous overloads.
The consensus from all experts is clear: for safe operation, your portable heater must have a dedicated connection to the wall. As the UK faces freezing conditions, this simple change in habit could be the difference between a cosy home and a catastrophic incident.
