Space Heater Fires Are Preventable: Electrical Safety for Minnesota Winters
Portable space heaters are one of the most common causes of winter house fires in Minnesota, and it’s almost never the heater itself — it’s the outlet, the cord, or the extension cord it’s plugged into.
What actually goes wrong
A space heater can draw 1,500 watts, close to the limit of a standard 15-amp circuit — especially if anything else is running on that same circuit. Plugged into a worn outlet, a lightweight extension cord, or a power strip, that steady draw generates heat at the connection point, and that’s where fires start.
Safe use, every time
- Plug directly into a wall outlet — never an extension cord or power strip.
- Give it three feet of clearance from anything flammable.
- Check if the outlet or cord feels warm to the touch after an hour of use — if it does, stop using it.
- Never run one unattended or overnight.
When the real fix is electrical, not behavioral
If you’re relying on a space heater every winter because a room runs cold, the better long-term fix is often a dedicated circuit or additional heating source — not a heater pulling near-max amperage on old wiring every night for four months.
Room running cold?
Three Rivers Electric can evaluate the circuit and recommend a permanent fix for Twin Cities homes. QMerit-certified, licensed (EA761814), veteran-owned, 5.0★. Get a free quote or call 651-418-1476.
