As the northern half of the world tilts away from the sun and the long, dark nights of winter settle in, a familiar habit takes place in homes across the land. Thermostats are turned up, heavy blankets pulled from the closets, and families gather to fight the creeping cold. In many homes, especially those with drafty windows or uneven heating, the space heater becomes the hero of the season. These small machines are modern wonders, able to turn a freezing bedroom or cold home office into a warm retreat in minutes. Yet beneath their warm glow lies a serious, often ignored danger that fire fighters want everyone to know.
Many people think a plug is just a plug, and that any outlet or extension cord can handle any device. This thought, though natural, leads to dangerous mistakes each year. As winter sets in, fire departments from Oregon to Ohio give the same urgent warning: never, under any circumstance, plug a space heater into a power strip or surge protector.
This warning went viral after Umatilla County Fire District #1 in Hermiston, Oregon, posted a photo of a melted, burnt power strip on social media. Their message was clear: “Never plug a heater into a power strip.” It might seem inconvenient, especially in older homes with few outlets, but the physics are strict.
A power strip is made for low-power electronics: TVs, phones, lamps, small gadgets. A space heater, on the other hand, is high-power, turning a lot of electricity into heat quickly. Plugging a heater into a power strip forces a big flow of electricity through a device that can’t handle it.
The result is heat buildup. The wires and plastic in the strip can melt and catch fire. Umatilla firefighters call it an “incendiary grenade on your living room floor.” This isn’t just theory. In Ohio, a space heater plugged into a power strip caused a living room fire that quickly engulfed a whole home.
To grasp the danger, think of the heater itself. It can reach up to 600°F inside. Add a weak power strip, and there is no room for error. Fire safety experts insist heaters must go straight into a wall outlet. Home wiring is heavier-duty and built for the amperage a heater needs; power strips are not.
Heaters must also be placed safely. Keep at least three feet from anything flammable—curtains, bedding, furniture, laundry, walls. Place the heater on a flat, hard surface, not on thick carpets or tables. Many modern heaters have tip-over switches, but these shouldn’t be the only protection.
Space heaters are not “set it and forget it.” Never leave one running unattended, and never leave it on while sleeping. Fires start fast, and reaction time is critical.
Beyond heaters, electrical safety is about how we use power in general. Unplug devices when not in use—space heaters, toasters, kettles, hair irons. Extension cords are for temporary use, not permanent wiring. Running them under rugs or stapling them to baseboards is dangerous. If you need an outlet permanently, call an electrician.
Respect your plugs. The third prong (grounding pin) protects against shocks and fire. Using “cheater plugs” or cutting it off is dangerous. Two-prong outlets are often a sign of an old system that can’t handle modern devices.
As winter comes, our need for warmth is strong. But follow the advice of the people who run toward the smoke. Taking a little extra time to place your heater safely or plug it into the wall is a small price for family safety. Use power strips for phones and routers. Let the wall outlet handle the heavy heat. Stay warm—and above all, stay safe.