Home Safety Buying Guide: Heaters, Smoke and CO Alarms, Cords, Candles, Furniture and Smart Devices

Many of the things we buy for the home, from a space heater to a chest of drawers, come with safety rules that are easy to miss on a product page. This guide pulls together what official sources say about heating, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, extension cords, candles, furniture that can tip over, fire-safety labels on beds, sofas and rugs, and the security of connected devices. It draws on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the US Fire Administration, the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and UK legislation.

We repeat what these sources say and nothing more. We do not rate products, we do not call any product safe, and the guide is not a substitute for the maker's instructions, a qualified installer or your local fire service.

This guide is based on the public sources listed in each section. We have not tested any product mentioned. Most of the rules described are US rules unless a section says otherwise, so check the rules where you live.

Quick checklist

1. Keep portable heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn, plug them straight into a wall outlet, and turn them off when you sleep.
2. Install smoke alarms on every level and inside each bedroom, and CO alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. Test monthly.
3. Use extension cords only temporarily, outdoor-rated cords outdoors, and look for a certification label from an independent lab.
4. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn and out of bedrooms.
5. Anchor tall furniture and TVs to the wall.
6. Check recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls before using a product.
7. For connected devices, check how long the maker will provide updates.

Heaters

Source: US CPSC, release 26-217, "Keep warm and safe this winter" (23 January 2026), with an older CPSC OnSafety blog (2017) for certification marks. Last checked: 15 October 2026.

How the CPSC says to use a portable heater

• Keep portable heaters at least three feet from drapes, furniture, bedding and other things that burn.
• Plug electric space heaters into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip.
• Turn heaters off when you sleep.
• Turn off fuel-burning heaters and let them cool before refuelling, and never refuel one while it is running.

The release gives CPSC estimates for 2020 to 2022: portable heaters, including electric space heaters, were involved in about 1,600 fires a year, with an average of 70 deaths and 150 injuries a year. Fireplaces and chimneys were involved in about 15,400 fires a year, with an average of 30 deaths and 90 injuries.

An earlier release (January 2023) advised that overheating can be deadly for infants, older adults, children and people with disabilities, so a heater should not be left running in a small space around them.

What to check before buying

The 2026 release does not mention certification marks. An older CPSC blog (2017, archived, and described by CPSC as outdated, so a secondary point) advises buying a heater that carries a mark from a nationally recognised testing lab such as UL, and says this should mean the heater does not set nearby material on fire if it tips over. It also advises putting the heater on a level, sturdy surface where it cannot be bumped over, and checking now and then whether the plug, cord, outlet or wall plate feels hot, and having an electrician inspect it if so.

On a listing, look for the testing-lab mark, a cord long enough to reach a wall outlet without an extension, and the maker's stated clearances. Opened and used heaters are often non-returnable, so read the return policy.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Sources: US CPSC, release 26-217 (23 January 2026); CPSC carbon monoxide fact sheet; CPSC "CO alarms" page. Last checked: 15 October 2026.

CPSC adds that battery-operated or battery-backup alarms are recommended, that interconnected alarms are best because one sounding sets off all of them, that combination smoke and CO alarms exist, that you should test alarms monthly, and that you should replace batteries at least once a year or use alarms with sealed 10-year batteries. The fact sheet says to replace the alarm itself by its recommended age or when the end-of-life signal appears.

Where carbon monoxide comes from

Incomplete burning in fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters, fireplaces), gas-engine equipment (generators, cars, lawn mowers, power washers) and burning charcoal.

If an alarm sounds

CPSC says not to search for the source. Get outside, call 911, and do not go back in until responders say it is safe. Early CO poisoning can look like flu without a fever, so if you suspect exposure get to fresh air and see a doctor.

Generators and appliance care

CPSC says to run portable generators only outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home with exhaust directed away from buildings, and never inside a home, basement, shed or garage. It estimates about 750 people died from CO poisoning associated with generators alone from 2012 to 2022. It also advises annual professional inspection of furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, chimneys and vents, never leaving a car running in an attached garage, never heating a home with a range, oven or dryer, and not running unvented fuel-burning appliances where people sleep.

The CPSC pages we read do not name an alarm standard, so we do not name one. Check the maker's stated replacement age and whether an alarm can be interconnected. See also our shorter guide to CO alarms.

Extension cords and power strips

Source: US CPSC, "Power Up With Safety: extension cords and power strips" (NSN-09-2). Last checked: 15 October 2026.

The alert says about 2,000 residential fires a year are associated with electric cords or plugs, killing 60 people (it gives no year range). Fires usually start from short circuits, too many products plugged into one cord, and damaged cords. Its advice:

1. Use extension cords only when necessary and only on a temporary basis. Do not overload a cord or power strip.
2. For outdoor tools and appliances, use only extension cords labelled for outdoor use.
3. Use only three-wire extension cords for appliances with three-prong plugs.
4. Replace cracked or worn cords.
5. Do not use counterfeit goods. Look for a certification label from an independent testing lab on the package and on the product.

We have no source on wire gauge or wattage ratings, so we give none. See our guide to extension cords and power strips.

Candles

Source: US Fire Administration, "Candle fire safety". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

• Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
• Avoid lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms and other sleeping areas.
• Use sturdy holders and put candles where they will not be knocked over.
• Blow candles out when you leave the room or home or go to bed.
• Battery-operated flameless candles are an alternative, and flashlights are the safer choice in power cuts.

The page cites the National Fire Protection Association as saying about 20 home candle fires are reported each day, without giving a year.

On a listing, look for the container size and material, the warnings printed on the label, the stated burn time and wax weight (we have no source on how burn time is measured), and the return policy for fragrance products. US voluntary standards exist for candle fire safety and labelling, but they are voluntary, so a listing that says "meets ASTM" is the maker's claim. We did not open those standards.

Furniture that can tip over (US)

Source: US CPSC, business guidance on clothing storage units. Last checked: 15 October 2026.

The US rule for clothing storage units (16 CFR 1261, from the STURDY law) applies to free-standing units made after 1 September 2023 that are at least 27 inches tall, weigh at least 30 pounds and have at least 3.2 cubic feet of enclosed storage, such as chests, dressers and armoires. Bookcases, office and dining furniture, jewellery armoires, under-bed units and built-in units are excluded.

The unit must stay upright in stability tests, including loaded open drawers, a 10-pound sideways push for 10 seconds, and, on carpet, a 60-pound weight hung on the most tip-prone drawer or door for 30 seconds. The rule requires warning labels and an anti-tip device meeting ASTM F3096 to be packed with the unit.

CPSC's anchoring advice, as we saw it in search results but did not open on its own page, is to anchor all tall storage furniture and TVs to a wall regardless of age. For online purchases, check that tall pieces are sold with wall anchors, that dimensions and weight are stated, and look up recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls. We did not research the UK or EU equivalent.

Fire-safety labels on mattresses, rugs and upholstered furniture

Mattresses and rugs (US)

Sources: US CPSC pages on mattresses and on carpets and rugs. Last checked: 15 October 2026.

• Mattresses and pads must resist a smouldering cigarette (16 CFR 1632). Mattress sets must pass an open-flame test (16 CFR 1633) with peak heat release at or under 200 kW and total heat release at or under 15 MJ in the first 10 minutes. A buyer can look for a permanent label with the month and year of manufacture and the plant location. A "T" label marks flame-retardant-treated pads. CPSC has issued warnings and recalls for mattresses sold on online marketplaces that failed the flammability standard.
• Rugs: a large rug has one dimension over 6 feet and an area over 24 square feet (16 CFR 1630); a small rug has no side over 6 feet and is 24 square feet or less (16 CFR 1631). Small rugs that fail may be sold only if permanently labelled with a flammability warning, and large rugs have no such option. Treated rugs need a "T" mention. CPSC's consumer points: look for the "T" label, keep small rugs labelled as failing away from ignition sources, and know that untreated shag or polyurethane-foam-cushioned rugs commonly fail testing.

Upholstered furniture and mattresses (UK)

Source: legislation.gov.uk, Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, revised text (latest amendment 30 October 2025). Last checked: 15 October 2026.

The regulations cover furniture for private use in a dwelling, including beds, divans, sofa-beds, mattresses, pillows and cushions, and garden-type furniture also suitable for indoor use. Furniture with upholstery must carry a permanent label with the warning "CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE" (a longer label with maker details and materials, or a shorter one). The requirement for in-shop display labels was removed on 30 October 2025, so a missing display tag in a shop is no longer a compliance sign. Goods made before 1 January 1950, goods for export and baby and children's items such as cots, prams and high chairs are exempt, and some items are exempt from some tests. Manufacturers and importers must meet the standards, and retailers must not supply non-compliant furniture.

For online purchases from overseas sellers, look for the label wording in the listing or ask the seller to confirm before buying. That suggestion is ours, not from the regulations.

Children's clothing cords

Sources: US CPSC, drawstrings in children's upper outerwear; UK government product-safety risk assessment on cords and drawstrings. Last checked: 15 October 2026.

This section is only about what the sources say. In the US, hood and neck drawstrings are not allowed on children's upper outerwear such as jackets and sweatshirts in sizes 2T to 12, and waist or hem drawstrings must stick out no more than 3 inches, with no toggles or knots on the free ends, and a single continuous cord must be stitched down. The CPSC lists pants, shorts, skirts and inner layers as outside this rule. A UK government risk assessment describing the European standard EN 14682 says young children's garments should have no drawstrings or functional cords in the head, neck or upper-chest area and limits decorative cords elsewhere to 7.5 cm free ends without knots or toggles. Our guide to buying children's dresses applies these checks to a product page.

Connected devices

Source: UK NCSC, "Smart devices in the home". Last checked: 15 October 2026.

• Before you buy: read reviews of the product and maker, check what it needs (Wi-Fi, an app, an account), and check how long the maker will keep supporting it. The NCSC says to treat the support end date as a cutoff, because unsupported devices are easier to hack.
• When you set it up: change the factory password to a strong one (the NCSC suggests several random words joined together), turn on two-step verification, switch off remote access if you only need the device at home, and turn on automatic updates.
• Later: if you think someone has taken control of a device, check the maker's site and reset it. Do a factory reset before selling or giving a device away.

Our guides cover smart home security, Matter and Thread and choosing smart home devices.

Buying safely online: a checklist

1. Find the testing mark or compliance statement in the listing or on the packaging, and ask the seller if it is missing.
2. Check recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls (US) before you buy and before you use a product. CPSC's release says federal law prohibits selling products subject to a recall.
3. Be cautious of marketplace sellers for products with flammability or tipping rules. Our guide to safe online shopping covers checking sellers.
4. Read the manual and the label when the product arrives, and keep them.
5. Check the return policy, because opened heaters, candles and bedding are often non-returnable. See online shopping rights and returns.

What we could not verify

• A named standard for CO alarms (not on the CPSC pages we read).
• Wire gauge or wattage ratings for extension cords (the ESFI page was blocked).
• UK and EU equivalents for heater, tip-over and rug rules.
• The candle standards named in a search result (not opened) and the CPSC anchoring page (seen in search results only).

Related complete guides

• Wi-Fi, Cooling and Smart Home Basics: Smart thermostats, air conditioner sizing, Matter and Wi-Fi.
• Travel and Gadgets: Power Banks, Hand Luggage, USB-C Power and Safe Listening: Chargers, cables and power banks, if you are buying gadgets as well.
• Online Shopping Rights and Returns: UK, EU, US and Canada Compared: Returns and warranties for heaters, alarms and furniture.