Deadly fire in New York reminder of potential danger of space heaters
Officials in New York City say a fire that swept through an apartment building in the Bronx on Sunday and left 17 people dead was caused by a malfunctioning space heater.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder that the small portable heaters can be convenient, but, when used improperly, can also be extremely dangerous.
Newer models come with added safety features, but they’re still responsible for about one-third of all home fires according to Consumer Reports, which is why they should never be used unattended.
“We run a series of safety tests to identify heaters that may pose a burn risk. The safest space heaters shut off automatically if they become too hot or if they're knocked over," said Paul Hope with Consumer Reports.
Because space heaters are only used a few months a year, you could have one that is 10 or 20 years old, but older space heaters won't have the latest safety features like an automatic shut off function and alarm if they get too hot or tip over.
When choosing a space heater it also depends on the job you want it to do.
“You need to consider if you just want to warm yourself up or are you trying to heat the entire room. Our tests have found not all models do both well,” said Hope.
When it comes to space heater safety, always keep space heaters one metre away from anything flammable. You should never use an extension cord and always plug the heater directly into a wall outlet and never leave space heaters operating unattended.
According to tests by Consumer Reports, a convection heater with a fan can heat a small space quickly and efficiently and they’re recommended for workshops and offices.
An oil filled radiator heater is quiet, but can take much longer to heat rooms and is best for living and bedrooms. Radiant heaters produce heat instantly, but have limited range and are best for workshops and garages.
Baseboard heaters are quiet and are able to heat large spaces such as basements and family rooms.
Now is a good time to make sure your smoke detectors are working properly and if you don’t have one consider getting fire extinguishers for your home.
Fire officials say the best ones to have are multi-purpose that can extinguish different types of fires.
"Generally in a home you want to have the most common type of fire extinguisher that will put out the three most common type of fires which are trash, wood and paper, liquids and electrical fires," said Alider Pratts, a fire and safety expert.
Pratt advises that you should make sure the fire extinguisher is fully charged and take a moment to read the instructions so you'll know how to use it if you have to.
As for space heaters, while they can help warm up a cold room, even the best ones can only do so much.
If you're using one in a bedroom as well as keeping it away from drapes and bedding, it should always be shut off before you go to sleep.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.