Warmth creates a sense of home. But it is right next to the radiator, where we seek comfort, that firefighters believe some of the most common and overlooked dangers lie. The objects we place there almost automatically are often the ones that start a fire. And most people only realize this when it is too late.
According to firefighters, apartment fires rarely start dramatically. Most often they start quietly – with a shirt that dries too long, with a curtain touching a radiator, or with an electrical cord exposed to constant heat.
Below we reveal five things firefighters think should never be stored near a heater or radiator. Not because we want to scare you, but because true elegance in a home begins where carelessness ends.
1. Clothing, blankets and bedding
Drying laundry on a radiator is one of the most common habits. But according to fire department statistics, textiles are the most the most common trigger for house fires.
Clothing and blankets retain heat. Synthetic materials can start to melt when heated for a long time, while natural materials dry out and can start to smolder. The danger is especially great at night or when no one is home, as fires often develop slowly and imperceptibly.
Firefighters' advice: Never dry clothes, blankets and bedding directly on a radiator or heater. Drying racks should be placed at least one and a half meters away from the heat source.
2. Furniture and decorative elements
The aesthetics of a home often dictate the placement of furniture. An armchair next to a radiator, long curtains falling softly over a heater, or a wooden shelf pushed right next to a heat source are common scenes in modern interiors. But such a placement can also represent serious risk.
Curtains act as a wick – if they overheat, the fire will spread quickly upwards. Wooden materials and furniture made of MDF boards are long-term exposure They dry out, crack and become more flammable. In addition, a covered radiator cannot properly dissipate heat, which causes additional heating.
Firefighters' advice: There should always be at least 30 to 50 centimeters of free space around the radiator, free of furniture, curtains or decorations.
3. Flammable liquids and aerosols
Hairspray, perfumes, cleaning products, air fresheners and sprays are often found in bathrooms, hallways or bedrooms – right where radiators are also located. Although we use them every day, they are products with flammable vapors, stored under pressure.
When the aerosol is heated, the pressure in the container increases. This can result in a leak or, in the worst case, an explosion. The vapors can be ignited by even a small spark or contact with a hot surface.
Firefighters' advice: Store flammable liquids and aerosols in a cool, airy space, away from radiators, heaters and direct heat.
4. Electronic devices and chargers
A phone charging next to a radiator. An extension cord, hidden behind the couch next to the heater. A laptop placed on the floor next to a heat source. These are everyday scenes that we often overlook, but firefighters classify as the riskiest combinations.
Electronic devices naturally heat up. If they are exposed to additional heat, they can overheating of batteries, melting of cable insulation or short circuit. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly sensitive and can catch fire very quickly if overheated.
Firefighters' advice: Never use or store electronic devices and chargers near radiators. Charge them on an open, cooler surface.
5. Paper, books and cardboard boxes
A stack of magazines next to a radiator or a cardboard box pushed under a window where a heater is located may look aesthetically pleasing. But paper is extremely flammable material, especially in a dry, heated room.
Paper can ignite at a relatively low temperature. low temperature, and prolonged exposure to heat can also cause spontaneous combustion. The fire then spreads very quickly to the rest of the room.
Firefighters' advice: Store paper materials, books and boxes in closed cabinets or on shelves, away from heaters and radiators.
