Households are being urged to avoid a common mistake with portable electric heaters that could increase the risk of fire. Specialists have warned that plugging any type of electric heater into an extension lead is a serious safety error.
Safety Warning on Heater Use
As temperatures drop, many people are turning to portable electric heaters for quick warmth in individual rooms. However, experts at DRA PAT Testing have highlighted a frequent error that poses significant hazards, as reported by Wales Online.
In guidance on their website, they stressed: "We cannot stress the importance of this enough – please, please, please do not, ever, plug electric heaters (of any kind) into extension leads. Please only plug heaters directly into the mains sockets."
They added: "And please don't leave heaters on permanently, turn them off. If your room isn't warm enough consider a more efficient permanent option, rather than a portable heater."
Four Key Safety Tips
The experts shared four crucial electric heater safety tips:
- Do not pull the heater plug out of the wall by the flex (cable)
- Do not leave the heater unattended when it is in use
- Do not plug the heater into an extension lead
- Always unplug the heater when you leave the room
The warning stems from the dangers of overheating and potential fire hazards. To illustrate the concern, they referred to their own experience at an office where their advice had not been followed.
Overheating Incident Highlighted
They explained: "The heater had been plugged back into the extension lead. We're not sure if the extension went back into the cable reel or into the wall direct, but what we do know, is that the heater on the extension lead caused the extension socket to overheat and melt, in fact it was a miracle no further damage was caused."
"Technically it did catch fire, although no actual flames were seen." They also shared a photograph showing the full extent of the burn damage to the plug.
