Portable Heater Safety

Safety must always be your priority when  using heating appliances

In the UK  80% of all domestic fires are caused by electrical appliances, portable heaters are at the top of the list. Most portable heater fires can be avoided by taking sensible safety precautions.

Calor Gas heaters use up oxygen and give off toxic waste gases (carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxides) when using these heaters rooms must be ventilated to allow a fresh supply of air and the removal of waste gases.

Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted in your home if you are using Calor gas a Carbon monoxide alarm as well.

You need to test these alarms regularly.

Electric Portable Heater Safety

When setting up and using  your  electric portable heater safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock and injury to people and property, including the following:

Setting up your heater:-

• Never buy a heater without  CE certification. See our article on Buying Cheap Electric Heaters to see what to look for.

• If you are unsure about any aspects of operation or usage then check with the supplier before installation and operation.

• Never use an electric heater if it is damaged.

• Do not use your heater outdoors, unless it is specifically designed for outdoor use (patio heater or similar).

• Do not place an electric heater near a bath, shower or swimming pool, contact with water presents the risk of electrocution.

• Bathroom heaters should be rated as splash-proof with a minimum 2nd number of the IP rating of 4 (IP- x4) and be fixed (wall or ceiling mounted) so they cannot be moved into the bathtub or shower.

• Do not place a heater immediately below a fixed socket outlet or connection box, it will cause the socket to overheat.

• Do not place your heater where it can be knocked over or in busy places where a lot of people are moving around.

Using Portable Electric Heaters :

• Portable electric heaters are not intended for use by young children or other persons without assistance or supervision if their physical, sensory or mental capabilities may prevent them from using them safely.

• 40% of all people killed in heating fires are over  80 tears old, pay particular attention to elderly users.

• Children should be supervised in any area where portable heaters are in use to ensure that they do not play with the heating appliances.

• Never leave a fan heater running unattended if the fan cuts out with the heating elements still on out the heater can catch fire in seconds.

• Never cover a portable heater or place material or garments over it, do not hang washing on any heater to dry, even a radiator, as it will cause it to overheat.

• Make sure that no one is sitting too close to the heater, never closer than 1 metre from any space heater. Falling asleep when sitting too close to a heater can result in serious injury.

• Keep the supply cord away from the front of the heater.

• Do not use any space heater in a small room when they are occupied by persons not capable of leaving the room on their own unless constant supervision is provided.

• Do not put heaters under desks as it is difficult to maintain proper clearances for  airflows and  combustible materials which can accidentally fall or be kicked into the clearance area around the heater.

Handling problems safely.

• In the event of a fault or If the heater is giving off unusual smells immediately unplug the heater.

• After power cuts check all portable heaters are switched off or plugged out before turning the power on if any are on timers check and reset them.

• If the electric socket, plug or lead is overheating or arcing (sparking or hissing) immediately turn off the electricity at the fuse box. To prevent burns wait until the lead or plug cools down before unplugging the heater.

• If your heater catches fire do not try and douse it with water, you may electrocute yourself.

• Do not try and fight an electrical fire yourself.

• In case of fire if it is safe to do so turn off the electricity at the fuse box evacuate the premises and call the fire brigade.

• If it is not safe to turn off the electricity evacuate the premises and call the fire brigade.

For more advice on electrical safety in the home visit the Electrical Safety First charity's Fire Safety Page.

Calor Gas (LPG) Portable  Heater Safety

When setting up and using  your portable Calor Gas (LPG) heater basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, suffocation  and injury to persons, including the following:

Setting up your heater:-

• If you are unsure about any aspects of operation or usage then check with the supplier before installation and operation.

• Never put a Calor gas or LPG heater in a space without ventilation, doing so can result in serious injury or death by suffocation.

• Always make sure there are working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in the space where the heater is to be used.

• Have the heater serviced at the intervals recommended in your user guide by a qualified person.

• Never use a Calor Gas heater if any part appears damaged.

• Regularly check the hose for cracks or damage.

• Check the hose and connector are securely fixed.
• If you are using an older heater the regulator should be checked at least every 10 years, hoses should be changed at least every 5 years.

• Do not store gas bottles inside your home, store them outside a safe distance from the property.

• Do not use the heater outside unless it is designed for outdoor use such as a patio heater or similar.

• Do not put LPG heaters in bathrooms or areas where they may come in contact with splashing water or bare skin.

• Do not place your heater where it can be knocked over, or bumped into by children playing, pets or in busy places where a lot of people are moving around.

• Do not place the heater where the air circulation around it can be blocked, e g: drawing curtains over it  or putting it in a confined space,  this  is a fire risk.

• Place the heater well away from  any combustible material such as curtains, furniture  and bedding, under no circumstances place the heater closer than 1 meter from any object.

• If the heater has lockable wheels lock them once you have positioned the heater to prevent it being moved.

• In areas where children, pets or vulnerable people may be present use a fireguard to prevent accidental burn injury.

Using Calor Gas (LPG) Heaters :

• Calor gas heaters are not intended for use by children or persons without assistance or supervision if their physical, sensory or mental capabilities may prevent them from using them safely.

•  Never block ventilation points in a room where a Calor Gas (LPG ) heater is being used, if the room feels stuffy immediately open a door or window to let fresh air in.

• Children should be supervised in any area where Calor Gas heaters are in use to ensure that they do not interfere  with the

• Always turn the heater off before going to bed or leaving your property

• Never cover the heater or place material or garments over the heater, do not hang washing over it to dry.

• Make sure that no one is standing too close to the heater, never closer than 1 meter from any space heater, clothing especially polyester ( such as dressing gowns and nightwear) can ignite very easily.

• Do not sit too close to the heater, falling asleep when sitting too close to a heater can result in serious injury.

• Do not move the heater while it is alight.

• Do not use the heater in a  room when they are occupied by persons not capable of leaving the room on their own unless constant supervision is provided.

Handling portable Calor Gas (LPG) heater problems safely.

• Never search for a leak with a naked flame

• In the event of a  leak when you connect the gas bottle to the heater shut the valve and disconnect the bottle immediately. Open all windows and doors to ventilate the room.

• If the cause of the leak a minor visible fault such as a  cracked hose or lose clip and you are competent to do so then replace the damaged part.

• If the cause of the leak is not visible, or you cannot replace a visibly damaged part then call a Calor Gas engineer to check and service the heater.

• Avoid contact with the gas as it can cause cold burns. If gas gets onto your clothing it will turn into a flammable liquid which may ignite.

• If the heater catches fire does not approach it, or try to tackle it yourself, any fire involving a pressurized gas cylinder carries the risk of rupture or explosion.

• If the heater catches fire you must immediately evacuate the premises and call the fire brigade. Tell them LPG is involved.

• If there is a fire near where you have stored your gas bottles, provided it is safe to do so, keep spraying the bottle with water from a safe distance with a hosepipe to keep it cool until the fire brigade arrive.

• If you have a damaged gas bottle isolate the area if it is leaking call the fire brigade. If it is not leaking call your gas supplier so their engineer can come and assess the damage.

If you are concerned about any emergency or potential emergency involving LPG, ring the Calor Emergency Service on 08457 444999.

 Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Ventilation

Never use a Liquid petroleum gas heater in an un-ventilated space