As colder weather approaches, many people rely on space heaters to stay warm. However, firefighters warn against plugging space heaters into power strips. Oregon’s Umatilla County Fire District #1 issued a safety advisory, emphasizing that power strips aren’t designed to handle the high current needed for space heaters. Overloading a power strip can cause it to overheat or even catch fire. This warning is echoed by the Toledo Fire Department in Ohio, which responded to a fire caused by improper space heater use. Firefighters urge people to plug space heaters directly into wall outlets to ensure safety. With the increased use of space heaters during the winter months, following these precautions is essential to prevent accidents and fires.
