• New figures show firefighters have attended a heating-related fire every day since 22 December, bringing the total for 2024 to 236 incidents.
• Urgent warning issued by London Fire Brigade: register heating appliances and use them safely.
• The alert coincides with Register My Appliance Week and recalls issued for two heaters by the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

Since 22nd December, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has tackled a heating-related fire every day, with a total of 36 incidents in the past month. These fires have caused six injuries. The colder weather, combined with high energy costs, has prompted many households to rely on alternative heating methods, contributing to the rise in incidents. Over the course of 2024, firefighters attended 236 heating-related fires.

Recent data reveals that fan heaters were involved in 20% of heating-related fires last month, while 17% were linked to other heater types, such as gas or electric models. A notable incident occurred in Bayswater last weekend, where a fan heater placed too close to combustible materials sparked a fire that destroyed a maisonette.

As part of Register My Appliance Week, LFB is urging the public to ensure their heating appliances are safe and to check for recalls. This follows findings that 14% of heating-related fires last month involved faulty equipment. The Office for Product Safety and Standards recently recalled two heaters due to dangerous defects.

Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection, Craig Carter, said:
“Rising energy costs mean that many families feel they have had no choice but to turn to alternative heating methods to keep warm, but we want to ensure that people don’t end up paying an even higher price – a fire that causes them serious injury or costs a life.

“If you’re buying a portable heater from an online marketplace, consider if a deal is too good to be true. Many second-hand appliances may seem like a cost-effective choice but could pose serious risks if they are faulty. Always check that the heater isn’t on a recall list and that it’s being sold by a reputable seller.

“We would recommend that you register your electrical appliances, as that means you’ll be notified if any faults are identified with it. Our Fire Investigators have seen the consequences of fires caused by non-compliant and counterfeit heaters that have been recalled due to safety concerns.

“It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure these items are in good working order. If you are using these items around children and pets, always supervise them carefully and place heaters somewhere where they won’t be accidentally knocked over and away from anything that could catch fire. Be careful that trailing leads don’t cause an additional hazard. Many portable heaters have shutoff features that prevent the appliance from overheating and that automatically switch off the heater if it is knocked over.

“If you’re considering using an older heater, check that it is in good condition. If it sparks, has loose or damaged wires, missing safety guards or other visible damage, it’s safer to replace it or have it tested and repaired by a qualified electrician.”

Firefighters’ Top Tips for Portable Heater Safety:

• Ensure heaters are well maintained and in good working order.
• Check that your heater is not on a recall list, as many fires have been linked to recalled appliances.
• Register old and new appliances to receive fault notifications.
• Avoid installing, repairing or servicing appliances yourself.
• Keep heaters away from clothes, curtains, and furniture, and never use them for drying clothes.
• Sit at least one metre away from a heater to avoid fire risks.
• Turn off heaters and allow them to cool before moving them.

Heating-related fires involve incidents where heating equipment is implicated. Last year, gas, electric, and other heaters accounted for 22% of such fires, with fan heaters responsible for 16% and panel heaters 15%. Other forms of heat sources were linked to the remaining fires.

A quarter of all heating-related fires were caused by combustible materials being placed too close to heat sources, while 21% stemmed from faulty appliances. Unsafe use of equipment accounted for a further 11%.

Historical data shows that heating-related fires increase by 44% between October-November and December-January, with a further 13% rise between December and January.

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