In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 53,600 home structure fires that involved heating equipment. That’s almost 150 fires per day. The fires resulted in 400 fire deaths, 1520 burn injuries and nearly $900 million in property damage. 81% of these fires were caused by space heaters. The leading factor contributing to ignition was the close proximity of space heaters to combustibles like upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding. Learn more about how to recover compensation after a space heater injury from our experienced St. Louis burn injury lawyers.
Types of Space Heaters
Space heaters come in two types: those powered by electricity and those powered by fuel. Space heaters bearing the UL mark must pass safety tests promulgated by Underwriters Laboratories. While space heater manufacturers warn that space heaters must be constantly attended, must always remain upright and must remain at least three feet away from combustibles, the UL safety tests recognize that in real world situations manufacturer warnings are not practical. The safety tests require a space heater to shut off if they are tipped over. The safety tests also require that space heaters not ignite combustibles which are in actual contact with the space heaters.
Because of the high frequency of space heater fires resulting burn injuries, deaths and property damage it is unrealistic for manufacturers to believe that space heaters will always be attended, that they will always remain upright and they will never come into contact with combustibles. The testing authorities recognize this when they prohibit space heaters from starting fires when they tip over or come into contact with combustibles.
Space heaters are often used by civilians as a primary home heating appliance; in many cases in low income communities. Alternative home heating choices in low income communities occur when natural gas is unaffordable and when landlords fail to provide working furnaces. As a result, space heater related fires occur disproportionally high in low income communities and poor people experience a higher percentage of deaths and burn injuries, caused by space heaters. Space heaters may be extremely dangerous.
If you must use a space heater one made of metal is safer than one made of plastic. Try to turn off space heaters when you leave the room where they are used. Never use an electric space heater with an extension cord. And do your best to keep them away from small children who may knock them over. These precautions are still not enough to guarantee safety. The manufacturers of space heaters know that in the real world space heaters are not always attended, they do tip over and they do come into contact with combustibles. If one of these mishaps occurs, which they will, the space heater manufacturer should be held responsible for all resulting harms and losses including fire deaths, burn injuries and property damages.
If you or someone you know has experienced a burn injury or property damage caused by a space heater, contact a personal injury lawyer at The Bruning Law Firm for a free consultation at 314-735-8100. You can also review our resources on smoke alarms too.
Recalled Space Heaters
Space heaters recalled because of potential fire hazards include:
- Vornado Air Electric Space Heaters
- Sunbeam Holmes Ceramic Heaters
- Duraflame Electric Space Heaters
- Kenmore Oscillating Fan Heaters
- Soleil Portable Fan Heaters
- Optimus Portable Infrared Radiant Quartz Electric Space Heaters
- Touch Point Portable Baseboard Convection Heaters
- Optimus Tower Quartz Portable Heaters
- Aloha Radiant Heater
- Aloha Breeze Portable Electric Heaters
- Climate Keeper Portable Space Heater and Oscillating Space Heaters
- Lasko Ceramic Heaters
- Creative Heating Solutions Portable Space Heaters
- Touch Point Forced Air Heaters
- Honeywell Surround Select Portable Electric Heaters
- Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heaters
- True Living Electric Space Heater Fans
- True Living Portable Quartz Radiant Heaters
- Lasko and Air King Portable Electric Heaters
- Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze and Comfort Essentials Heaters
- Honeywell Moveable Baseboard Heaters
- Legacy Propane Infrared Plaque Heaters
- SoleusAir Space Heaters
- Aloha Breeze Portable Electric Heaters
- Aloha Breeze Portable Electric Heaters
- Oscillating Ceramic Heaters
- Aloha Breeze Portable Electric Heaters
- Holmes; Oil-Filled Electric Heaters
- Oscillating Ceramic Heaters
- Oscillating Ceramic Heaters
- Mr. Heater Big Buddy and Tough Buddy Portable Propane Heaters
- Mr. Heater Big Buddy and Tough Buddy Portable Propane Heaters
- Maxi-Heat; Dream Tower Heaters
- Maxi-Heat; Electric Oil-Filled Radiator Heates
- Holmes; and Bionaire; Tower Heater Fans
- Model 511 Oil-Filled Electric Radiator Heaters
- Lakewood MPH-25 Fan-Forced Mini-Personal Electric Heater
- Aloha Radiant Heater
- Portable Electric Whole Room Heaters
- Sun-Sational Electric Heater
- Weather Works Ventilaire Electric Heaters
- Lakewood Electric Heater
- Vermont Castings Space Heaters
- Holmes Wide-Angle Portable Heaters
