Never Place These Household Items Near a Heat Vent, HVAC Experts Warn You might cause a fire or damage to your system. Close Credit: Getty Images Cold weather is here, which means your furnace is putting in overtime hours to keep you nice and toasty. And while you might’ve remembered to get routine maintenance done on your HVAC system, there’s another noteworthy component to be aware of in the winter: giving your heat vents adequate space to work properly. While it's important to always keep your heat vents obstruction-free, there are certain items experts say you should never-ever put near a heat vent. Here's what they warn against to keep you and your home safe all winter. Josh Mitchell, HVAC technician and founder of Air Conditioner Lab Tamer Sayed, HVAC expert and owner-operator of Tamas Mechanical Matt Gorbacz, owner and president of Clean Air Technologies Why You Shouldn’t Close Air Vents in Unused Rooms, According to an HVAC Pro Electronics Keeping electronics close to heat vents can cause them to overheat and power off prematurely. "I have seen game consoles and routers shut down because hot air was blowing right on them for hours," says Matt Gorbacz, owner and president of Clean Air Technologies. Not only can excess heat temporarily shut down your electronics, but it can also degrade the wires and internal soldering, leading to long-term consequences. Medications and Pantry Staples Heat vents can affect your prescriptions and other shelf-stable items. HVAC expert Tamer Sayed says that medications can lose their effectiveness, while food products can spoil faster when placed close to heat vents. Additionally, if these items are stored in plastic, excess heat can cause warping or melting. Instead, consider moving snack bins, pantry staples, medicines, and spice racks to cooler walls away from heat registers. Never block air vents, no matter the situation. Blocked air vents can cause your furnace to malfunction, lead to excess moisture buildup, and increase your energy bill. Anything Plastic Plastic softens and warps even at relatively low temperatures, and heat vents can easily reach temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything from plastic laundry baskets to toy bins is at risk when placed too close to heat vents. Over time, heated plastic may release odors or fumes, especially vinyl-based products like inflatable decorations or kids toys. And according to Sayed, loose plastic bags are particularly dangerous since air can pull them into the vent and restrict circulation, or in a spark event, help fire travel through the ductwork. Don't Miss What That Banging Noise in Your Ductwork Really Means (and When to Worry) Should You Turn Your Heat Off When You’re Not Home? What HVAC Pros Say Paper, Books, and Cardboard Paper goods are flammable and can restrict airflow when stacked. "Some homeowners mistakenly place books and other paper products near heat vents in their living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices," Sayed says. If you keep your favorite book near a heat vent, you might notice curled pages and discolored ink. And those cardboard moving boxes you’re waiting to break down? If they accidentally press against a vent, they can trap heat while introducing a huge flammable surface area. If your home office has a floor register beneath the desk, check it regularly to make sure you haven’t accidentally created a paper pile fire hazard. Furniture, Curtains, and Other Fabrics Fabrics absorb heat easily, and many home textiles are synthetic, meaning they can melt and warp long before they look like they’re igniting, Josh Mitchell, HVAC technician and founder of Air Conditioner Lab, says. Curtains or bedding that billow over a vent can block heat, forcing it back into the system, which Gorbacz says can overheat the furnace and shorten the blower motor's lifespan. Slipcovers, throw blankets, pillows, pet beds, and winter coats can also restrict airflow without you noticing. "If you have a vent under a bed or couch, use a magnetic register deflector to push the airflow out from under the furniture. It helps keep the system balanced and prevents that spot from overheating," Mitchell says. How Far to Place Items From a Heat Vent Our experts recommend keeping all items at least 12 to 18 inches away from your heat vents. Sayed says this distance is key to allowing air to circulate freely. But aim for more space, if possible. "If you’re using furniture risers or vent deflectors, make sure they don’t completely block airflow," Mitchell adds. Explore more: Home