News — 20 Oct 2026
Portable Heater Safety Winter 2026
Every winter, portable heaters cause hundreds of house fires in the UK. As energy costs drive more people to supplement their central heating with portable units, the incident numbers rise. Different heater types carry very different risks — here is what you need to know before the cold sets in.
Most important rule
Never dry clothes on or over a portable heater. This is the single most common cause of portable heater fires in the UK. Clothing restricts airflow, causes overheating, and can ignite on direct contact with the heating element.
Safety rules by heater type
- Keep 1 m clearance from all flammable materials
- Never cover or place clothing on top to dry
- Do not use as a primary overnight heater — turn off when sleeping
- Plug directly into a wall socket — not an extension lead
- Safer than fan heaters for overnight use — no exposed element
- Still requires 1 m clearance from flammable material
- Check for oil leaks; dispose if damaged
- Use the built-in thermostat — do not run on maximum continuously
- Very high surface temperature — keep 1.5 m from all flammable material
- Never leave unattended or use overnight
- Not suitable for use near curtains or upholstered furniture
- Most fire service incidents involve this type
- Produces CO — never use in a bedroom or sealed room
- Ensure adequate ventilation at all times
- Store replacement cylinders upright outside or in a ventilated outbuilding
- Fit a CO alarm in the same room
Why winter 2026 is a higher-risk year
Ongoing household energy costs in 2026 have led to a pattern of reduced central heating use combined with increased portable heater use to heat individual rooms. This creates a higher-risk environment: portable heaters are used for longer periods, used in bedrooms overnight, and placed closer to furniture and bedding in smaller rooms. Fire services in England and Wales have reported an increase in portable heater incidents year-on-year since 2022.
The overnight risk
The highest-risk scenario is a portable heater left running in a bedroom overnight. Even with a thermostat, if the heater tips over (common when pets, children, or trailing cables are involved), the thermal cut-out may not engage quickly enough to prevent a fire. Most heaters now have tip-over switches — but these fail if the heater leans against a surface rather than fully tipping.
For the full picture of overnight fire risks including heaters, see our overnight fire risks 2026 article and our overnight fire safety guide.
Gas heaters and carbon monoxide
Portable LPG heaters produce CO as a combustion product. In a well-ventilated living room, used briefly, the risk is low. In a sealed bedroom overnight, it is potentially fatal. All rooms with combustion heating appliances should have a CO alarm fitted — see our carbon monoxide safety guide for symptom thresholds and required action concentrations.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ