topic Re: Question About Portable Heaters in Home

Question About Portable Heaters

Jordan2 — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:32:49 GMT

I use small portable ceramic heaters in different rooms in my home. My house is usually on the cool side and the heater works to warm the room up. My question is , is it safe to have the heater on during the night while you're sleeping? My mother has made me paranoid saying it's not safe (she thinks it could start a fire) so I always unplug it at the end of the day.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

KLevineFan — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:39:15 GMT

I think it would be safe. I have 2 heaters, one older, & I have left it on & fallen asleep & it has run for 5 hr or so & nothing unsafe happened. It has been under 30 degr here this past couple of weeks, way too cold, so I need the heater. The newer one has a timer, so it runs for an hour or 2 (depending on how you set it) & by then you're asleep & it turns off. If you're really worried about it, run it for an hour or so before bed, then turn it off when you turn off the light.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

NickNack — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:41:59 GMT

I would be afraid to leave it on all night.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Shelbelle — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:49:22 GMT

I have to agree that I dont think these kinds of heaters are meant to be on for hours and hours at a time. After mine has been on for about 3 hours the plug really gets very hot, and I think it is time to give it a rest. Why not call CS of the company that mfg the heater and ask them.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Judaline — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:52:06 GMT

You must be thinking of the old kerosene heaters.Very unsafe. These electric heaters are safe unless you use an extension cord (never a good idea) and if you keep it away from furniture, drapes, anything. It should be standing alone.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Desi — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:55:57 GMT

If the directions don't tell you, maybe call the manufacturer? I'd really suggest getting an electric blanket or bed-pad, which are designed to be on all night. However, the heaters that shut-down when the room reaches a certain temp. (that you choose) and only start again when temps drop, might be the safest bet in heaters.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Shelbelle — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:55:58 GMT

I was told by CS from Duraflame that using an extension cord is fine, but it must be of a heavy guage, think it must be with a number 14 for safety.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

kivah — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 01:58:11 GMT

When using a heater, be sure it's not close to curtains, drapes, etc. Nothing should be close to it - that's when fires happen.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Black Cat Back — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:09:43 GMT

I had one years ago that would automatically shut off when it got to a certain temperature. It was awhile ago, but they probably still sell some like that.

I would be afraid to leave it on overnight and definitely never leave it on if you leave the house.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Kachina624 — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:11:39 GMT

This is from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Don’t: Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep.Don’t place a space heater close to any sleeping person. Never use gasoline in a kerosene space heater, as even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire. Don’t use portable propane space heaters indoors or in any confined space unless they are specifically designed for indoor use.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

GCR18 — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:30:56 GMT

I wouldn't leave it on. What about getting a timer and having it turn on 1/2 hour before you get up.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

IControlMyHappiness — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:36:58 GMT

I have several heaters and I don't leave it one when I sleep, I PURPOSELY bought heaters that have a remote so you can turn it on or off from the bed. I do have heat in my home but for me, I learned that a lot of air was coming in from various places. \

The remote helps greatly because you can just turn it on as needed. Also I sleep in night clothes with sleeves even if it is a short sleeve, that helps greatly.

Here is a tip, I found that a lot of air comes from the window frame. I researched and in the old days people put blankets in their window to keep the draft down. Do you have a window in your bedroom? Air might be coming in from that area.

I did the window installation and then I folded a blanket, the width of my window and nailed it up on the window frame. So please understand, I have curtain, but you move the curtains so you can see, then you put the nail throw the blanket and nail it to the wall. The blanket is not shown because when you put your curtains down the blanket is hidden. But this also means you can't look out the window during the winter months.

Also, I use warm sheets and layer, so I might have the polar fleece sheets and two blankets the at night I tuck in the flat sheet and blankets under the mattress so no cold air is coming up on you from the floor.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

ROMARY — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:48:06 GMT

I turn the power surge protector strip button off before bedtime. (I just threw out a portable thermostat heater that continued to make a very slight humming sound after turning it off. Then, it began to smell smoldering, so I threw it out to be recycled.) I would never leave a portable heater plugged in.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Jordan2 — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:54:25 GMT

Thank you all for your replies. I don't think I want to chance leaving the heater on all night. As far as an electric blanket my mother doesn't trust them either!

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

child prodigy — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:54:46 GMT

Just to be on the safe side, I think it's a good idea to unplug the space heater when you are ready for bed.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

brewhaha — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 03:04:15 GMT

I haven't had a problem. I think it's safe to leave it on at night.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

BichonEmma — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 03:07:42 GMT

How about a hot water bottle? I swear by mine. I put it in the bed while I'm getting ready for bed and it warms the bed for me. Then I wrap it up in a towel and either put it by my feet or tummy. It keeps me warm.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Goldengate8361 — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 03:07:52 GMT

Newer heaters are safer than older ones. I think the newer ones are safe to leave on all night. I leave one on all night for my cats. It's a heat dish heater that I bought from Costco.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

Desi — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 03:09:21 GMT

Jordan, my mother didn't trust electric blankets either! They are a very different animal now. Mine has soft coils you can't feel, and I think all of them shut off in 10 hrs.

Re: Question About Portable Heaters

ValuSkr — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 03:11:05 GMT

So glad you decided not to leave it on at night. If it was me, I'd be so concerned I wouldn't be able to sleep.