Despite safety measures, space heaters remain a fire risk. Portable space heaters have been linked to about 1,700 residential fires a year, resulting in about 80 deaths and 160 injuries, according to the estimates by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Please make sure you read the instructions carefully, and please, please, please don't buy it if you don't have to. Please call your landlord, make sure you're provided with heat, and if you're in New York City, please call 311 immediately. Salty Coffee.