Space Heater Buying Checklist: 6 Safety Checks

A space heater is the cheapest way to warm one room, and one of the easiest to buy wrong. The safety features matter more than the price or the brand. Here is what to look for.

Key takeaways

• Buy a heater with a safety certification mark and an automatic shut off.
• Keep it at least three feet from anything that can burn.
• Plug it straight into the wall, never into an extension cord.

Six checks before you buy

1. A certification mark. Look for a mark from a recognized testing lab, such as UL, CSA or ETL, on the box or the heater. The CPSC advises choosing a heater tested and certified by a nationally recognized lab.

2. Tip over shut off. The heater should turn itself off if it is knocked over. Look for this on the packaging, and check that it is listed in the product details.

3. Overheat protection. A sensor that turns the heater off if it gets too hot is a second layer of protection. Not every model has it, so check.

4. A thermostat. A heater that cycles on and off is less likely to run hot all night than one with a single setting. It can also use less power.

5. A cord and plug that feel solid. A short, thick cord that stays cool is better than a thin one. Do not buy a heater that needs an extension cord to reach where you sit.

6. Electric, not fuel burning, for indoors. Unvented fuel burning heaters add carbon monoxide risks. For most rooms an electric heater is the simpler choice.

Three rules for using it

1. Keep three feet clear. The CPSC advises keeping a heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture and anything else that can burn.

2. Plug it directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip. Heaters draw a lot of power and can overload them.

3. Turn it off when you leave or sleep. Never leave one running while you sleep, and never put it near someone who is sleeping. Keep children and pets away too.

Also confirm that you have a working smoke alarm on each level and a carbon monoxide alarm outside the bedrooms. Our guide to spotting fake reviews helps when you compare models online.

A quick shopping tip

Check current price before you buy, and compare the safety features listed, not just watts. A cheaper heater without a tip over switch is not a deal. For more on timing a purchase, see how to tell if a sale is real.

When to replace the one you have

Stop using a heater and replace it if the cord or plug is cracked, hot to the touch or discolored, if it smells like burning, or if it trips a breaker. Older heaters may also lack newer safety features. Read the label for a certification mark, and if there is none, retire it.

Your checklist for this week

• ☐ Check any heater you already own for a certification mark.
• ☐ Throw out or stop using one with a damaged cord or plug.
• ☐ Before buying, confirm tip over shut off and overheat protection.
• ☐ Clear three feet around where you will use it.
• ☐ Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

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Safety guidance changes, so check the CPSC for current advice and read your heater's manual. Check current price before you buy. See our disclosure policy for details.