As winter settles in and the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, familiar habits return: thermostats get nudged upward, cozy blankets reappear, and families huddle together to beat the cold. In houses with drafty spots or inconsistent heating, one small appliance often becomes the quiet workhorse of the season—the space heater.

Compact and efficient, space heaters can transform a frigid room into a comfortable haven in moments. But behind their welcome warmth is a serious hazard many people overlook—one that fire departments across the country are trying to bring to the forefront.

The Overlooked Risk: Space Heaters and Power Strips
A common assumption is that any device can safely plug into a power strip—but that belief can be dangerous. Fire crews from coast to coast are stressing a critical rule: never plug a space heater into a power strip or surge protector.

This warning gained traction after Umatilla County Fire District #1 in Oregon posted a photo of a power strip that had melted from misuse, paired with a simple reminder: “You should never plug a heater into a power strip.” This isn’t merely a guideline—it’s basic electrical science.READ MORE BELOW