December 6, 2025

Be Alert to Heat Source Dangers

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

December 6, 2025

FOLEY, Ala. As temperatures dip, many of us look for ways to keep warm. While some of us crank up the thermostats on the wall, others use alternative methods of heating in their homes including wood stoves, fireplaces, electric heaters also called space heaters, kerosine heaters and some use the heat from their ovens.

Many of these heat sources, including some forms of gas heat, can be potentially dangerous and even deadly.

During this time of year, hundreds of people die in house fires while using these alternative methods of keeping warm.

Deaths from “alternative” heat sources (like space heaters, generators, wood stoves) are primarily due to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning or fires, with hundreds dying annually in the U.S. from CO (500+ hospitalizations/year) and dozens from heating fires (around 332 deaths from space heaters/stoves 2019-2023), but these figures are likely underestimated, while extreme heat itself causes thousands of deaths, often exacerbated by these devices.

Many people turn to space heaters in the colder months, but are space heaters safe?

Space heaters are a winter staple, but they come with risks if used incorrectly. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, heating is one of the leading causes of home fires, and space heaters are a big part of why those fires can spread quickly.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use one safely. It just means they require a little extra attention: keeping them away from anything that can burn, plugging them directly into the wall, and turning them off when you leave the room. When used properly, space heaters can be helpful for boosting warmth without running your whole heating system nonstop.
However, space heaters should be at least three feet away from anything flammable, including furniture, curtains, bedding, and walls, to prevent fires. And placing them on a flat, stable, nonflammable surface and plugging them directly into the wall instead of an extension cord will help to lower the risk of using one. Always turn off and unplug the heater when leaving the room or going to bed and you should keep children and pets clear. Space heaters should have automatic shut-off controls when they are tipped over.

Kerosine heaters have been banned in some states due to their dangerous nature.
Kerosine heaters have open flames, give off carbon monoxide, a deadly gas and can easily catch fire to items nearby.

Kerosene heaters cause around 90 deaths annually in the U.S. from roughly 2,300 fires, though they are part of a larger category of space heaters causing hundreds of fatalities yearly (around 480-500) due to fires and carbon monoxide. These deaths often stem from flare-ups, improper fuel (like gasoline), lack of ventilation leading to carbon monoxide poisoning, and using heaters too close to flammable materials, especially overnight.

The legality of using kerosene heaters in homes in Alabama is primarily determined by local ordinances, fire codes, and specific usage conditions, rather than a statewide ban. While they are not explicitly banned by state law for all uses, their use is heavily regulated and often discouraged by safety officials due to fire and carbon monoxide risks.

Fire with hot open flames have been used to heat humans almost since the start of time. Wood stoves and fireplaces have been used as a heat source in our homes for hundreds of years.
While mostly safe, wood stoves with a glass front have been known to explode because of extensive heat, fireplaces can often cause chimney fires due to the build up of creosote and a lack of maintaining the chimney.

Some area homes are equipped with gas heaters which are very efficient and some users say that the heat is much warmer than electricity which often operates on a heat pump system that circulates the air.

The main dangers of gas heating are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, due to incomplete combustion or leaks, which is a silent, deadly gas; respiratory issues from nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other pollutants (like formaldehyde) that worsen asthma; and fire/burn hazards, especially from unvented space heaters or using ovens for heat. These risks increase with poor ventilation and faulty or older appliances, necessitating regular professional checks, CO alarms, and proper venting for all gas units.

Homeowners should have several C02 detectors installed throughout their home.

Electric heat, though often a more expensive heat source is one of the safest methods used in homes and businesses today.

Maintaining all heating devices, following the manufacturers’ safety recommendations, having multiple smoke detectors and being aware of the dangers associated with their use will ultimately make their use much safer.