More and more heaters are marketed as suitable for use in the bathroom. Consumers thinking of buying such models are advised to choose carefully to ensure safety.
In its first ever safety test on bathroom heaters, the Consumer Council found two samples failed to pass the safety test on water resistance although both bore such claims.
The test covered a total of 15 samples including 5 ordinary ceramic fan heaters and 10 others that claimed to be suitable for use in the bathroom. Their retail prices ranged from HKD$199 to HKD$3,780.
Of the 10 bathroom heaters, 4 were ceramic fan heaters, 1 wire-wound fan heater, 2 quartz heaters, 1 mica heater, and 2 requiring mounting on the ceiling － one in the form of bathroom heat lamp and another one labelled as a thermo ventilator which claimed to have the dual functions of drying clothes and providing warm air circulation.
Test items included construction, material flammability, water resistance, temperature rise and marking and instructions for use.
Two samples passed all test items while a third one only had minor problems in marking and instructions.
Two bathroom heaters claimed to be water resistant but they failed in the tests on protection against vertically dripping and splashing water respectively.
Some of the defects found in the construction of the heaters included: inadequate insulation distance (3 samples), internal insulated wire is too close to user's accessible locations, posing risk of electric shock (1 sample), and inappropriate wire connection (1 sample).
In the flammability test, the materials of samples were ignited with a 850℃ glow-wire and/or a small needle-flame. The flames caused were unable to self-extinguish within 30 seconds for 6 samples.
With the exception of three samples, all other samples were inadequate in marking and instructions for use, mostly in relation to warning and supervision for children, the elderly and people who need care and attention when using such electrical appliances.
Although some heaters are designed for use in the bathroom, consumers are advised to take extra precaution in installing such heaters to ensure safety:
- Choose a heater that meets the water resistance requirement and follow the instructions when placing the heater.
- Place the heater at safety distance from the bathtub or water basin.
- Fix a wall or ceiling mounted heater securely.
- Ensure the portable room heater will not fall into the water-filled bathtub or the water basin.
- Make sure the sockets in the bathroom are fitted with residual current device (RCD) which detects leakage current.
- If there is no socket outlet in the bathroom and electrical power is fed from an outside socket, extra care should be exercised regarding the placement of the heater plugged into the wall socket outside bathroom, so as to avoid tumbling over the cord and the appliance, and damaging the supply cord by closing the door, etc.
In general, consumers should observe the following when operating electric heaters:
Except for specially designed models, heaters should not be used to dry clothes.
- Do not plug another appliance of high power consumption into the power outlet of a heater to avoid overloading.
- Oil-filled radiators are heavy and it is not easy to see that the heater surface is hot, so particular care should be taken to prevent children from being hit by an accidentally falling heater or scorched by the hot surface.
- To avoid danger and save electricity, turn off the heater when no one is in the room.
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