Buying a new room heater? Safety features that government ‘wants’ you to check before purchase

Room heater

If you are planning to buy a new room heater, then looking for safety features is an important parameter. While room heater manufacturers focus on offering a host of safety features for room heaters, there are some features the government wants manufacturers to offer with their heaters.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which certifies electrical appliances sold in India, has outlined strict requirements under IS 302-2-30:2007 to ensure heaters are safe for household use. These checks are mandatory for every model sold with an ISI mark, and buyers are advised to verify these features on the packaging or product label.

According to BIS guidelines, the most critical indicator of safety is the ISI certification mark, which assures that the heater has undergone multiple electrical and mechanical safety tests.

These include: earth continuity, electric strength, and protection against access to live parts—tests designed to prevent electric shock and internal component failure. The government also stresses the importance of heaters having automatic cut-off protection, which turns the device off in case of overheating or accidental tipping, reducing the risk of fire.room

Another key safety feature monitored during certification is power input and wattage accuracy. Heaters are grouped by wattage—up to 1000W and above 1000W—and BIS warns that wrong wattage selection for room size can lead to overheating and higher power consumption. Certified heaters must also include proper earthing provisions, high-quality insulation, and components that meet clearance and creepage distance standards to prevent short circuits.

During testing, BIS labs evaluate heaters for mechanical strength, abnormal operation performance, leakage current, and resistance to heat and fire. These checks ensure the heater remains stable, structurally secure, and safe even during prolonged use. Stability tests certify that the heater will not topple easily, while resistance-to-fire tests verify that external and internal parts can withstand heat without deforming or catching fire.Facebook advisories issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards also remind consumers that even a small mistake—such as buying a non-certified heater—can put homes at risk. Buyers are urged to avoid unbranded models, inspect cords before use, and ensure heaters come with complete manufacturer details for service and warranty.

By checking these safety features before purchasing, consumers can significantly reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure safer heating throughout the winter.