Space heater safety for renters
In 2021, heating was the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. Space heaters are handy in a drafty rental, but they need space and attention.
The rules that matter most
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away: beds, curtains, clothes, papers and furniture.
- Plug it straight into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or a power strip.
- Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Warning signs to report
Tell your landlord right away if breakers trip often, lights flicker or dim, an outlet feels warm or looks discolored, or something smells like burning. Don't try to fix wiring yourself.
If the heat isn't working
No heat in winter is urgent. Call your landlord's after hours number. Never heat your home with a gas stove, an oven, a grill or a generator. They can fill the home with carbon monoxide.
Rent your home? Get the free move-in safety checklist. Own or manage rentals? SaferResident gives every tenant a 20 minute course on this, built around your building.
Sources
- Heating Fire Safety, U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)
- Portable Electric Space Heater Safety (tip sheet, PDF), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- 7 Highly Effective Portable Heater Safety Habits (PDF), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Neighborhood Safety Network
- Electrical Safety in the Home, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Prevention Guidelines: You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure (2017), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health
- Carbon Monoxide Information Center, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Updated October 1, 2026. General safety information. It doesn't replace your building's safety systems, local codes or your lease. In an emergency, call 911.