Guide · Home care
Wall and Baseboard Heaters
A friendly, practical guide to using electric wall and baseboard heaters safely, from clearance and dusting to burning smells, thermostats and when to call for help.
Where to start
- First cold night coming?
Turn each heater on for a few minutes with a window cracked, then work through the heater checklist.
- Sparks or a burning smell right now?
Take a breath. See if a heater smells or sparks.
- Just want the basics?
Give it space, keep it clean, use the thermostat, and share anything unusual.
The short version
Wall and baseboard heaters work best with a little room and a little care.
Keep furniture, curtains and bedding well away, and never dry clothes or towels on a heater.
Dust the fins with the power off, set a steady temperature, and label the breaker for each heater.
If a heater sparks, smokes, buzzes or won’t turn off, turn it off at the breaker if it is safe and share it in writing right away.
Rules about heat differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Give it space
Keep furniture, curtains, bedding and anything that can burn well away from the heater.
- 2Keep it clean
Dust and debris inside a heater can smell, smoke or even catch fire. Gentle cleaning helps.
- 3Use the thermostat
Set a steady, comfortable temperature instead of turning heaters on high and off again.
- 4Report anything unusual
Share sparking, scorch marks, buzzing, strong smells or a heater that won’t turn off, in writing.
Heater checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Every room is set up to stay warm and safe.
If a heater smells or sparks
- Stay calm. Turn the heater off at its thermostat right away.
- If you see sparks or smoke, or smell burning plastic, turn off the heater’s breaker if it is safe to do so.
- If there is fire or heavy smoke, get everyone out and call 911 from outside. This is an emergency.
- Once it is cool and safe, move anything that was touching the heater away.
- Take photos of any scorch marks, melted parts or damage.
- Share what happened in writing right away, and leave the heater off until it is checked.
You did exactly the right thing.
Guides that go well with this one
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFMore guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, electrical or fire-safety advice. Please follow the maker’s instructions and call a licensed electrician for repairs. Bunklow does not inspect or repair heaters.