Winter Fire Safety at Work: Heaters, Drying Clothes and Dark Evenings

Colder weather changes how workplaces are used. Heaters come out, coats get hung up to dry and people spend more time indoors. Each change can add fire risk if it is not managed.

Common winter hazards

  • Portable heaters placed too close to paper, curtains or stock, or left on overnight.
  • Drying clothes or boots on or near heaters.
  • Overloaded sockets from heaters, kettles and extra equipment.
  • Blocked exits as coats, boots and winter stock build up.
  • Dark evenings, when escape routes and outdoor assembly points are harder to see.

Practical steps

  • Use heaters only where needed, on a stable, clear surface, and switch them off when the room is empty.
  • Keep a clear space around every heater.
  • Plug heaters directly into a wall socket where possible, not into extension leads.
  • Provide a proper place for wet clothing, away from heat sources and escape routes.
  • Check that outdoor lighting and emergency lighting work, and that the assembly point is lit.
  • Do a quick weekly walk-round and note anything you fix.

Your duties

Under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, a person in control of premises must take reasonable measures to guard against fire. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to manage risks to staff. Seasonal changes are part of that.

Why winter brings more fire risk

When it gets cold, people plug in heaters, close windows, dry wet clothes near radiators and use plant and boilers harder. Heaters are used in places they were never planned for, extension leads are overloaded and exits are sometimes blocked to keep the draught out. All of this can raise fire risk.

Heaters: a checklist

  • Keep at least a clear space around every heater, and never place anything on or against it, including coats, paper and stock.
  • Avoid portable heaters in escape routes and in places where they can be knocked over.
  • Plug heaters directly into a socket rather than a multi-way extension lead, and never use damaged leads.
  • Switch heaters off when leaving a room or the building.
  • Do not use gas or fuel heaters in places without ventilation. See our article on gas cylinders.
  • Have electrical equipment checked by a competent person if it is old or damaged.

Other winter hazards

  • Christmas decorations and lights, particularly near heaters and exits.
  • Stored stock and packaging building up before the busy season.
  • Boiler and plant rooms used as stores. See our plant room guide.
  • Dark evenings, when emergency lighting and signage matter more. See our lone worker article.

A five-minute winter check

  1. Walk the building and look at every heater and the space around it.
  2. Check exits and escape routes are clear.
  3. Look for overloaded sockets and warm or damaged plugs.
  4. Test the fire alarm weekly as normal and confirm extinguishers are in place and in date. See our extinguisher page.
  5. Review your fire risk assessment if you have changed how rooms are used or heated.

Let us help

A fire risk assessment shows where your premises are most exposed and what to do about it. Call 086 275 9728 or email info@safersolutions.ie for a friendly chat. See our fire risk assessments in Ireland and our guide to good housekeeping.