Those feeling the chill urged to check potentially-deadly heaters

Australians are being urged to check if they have a potentially deadly heater in their home, after nine Queenslanders were killed in house fires started by faulty heaters.

More than 150,000 Sunair and Heller portable heaters have been sold and could spontaneously combust.

“Of the 15 people who died in (Queensland) fires last year, nine of those died during the winter season,” Emergency Services Minister Jo-Anne Miller said.

All nine of those Queenslanders died in fires started by faulty heaters.

Faulty electric heaters have the capacity to catch fire and spread to nearby furniture in less than a minute.

Queensland's warmer climate means many electric heaters and blankets don’t need to be replaced as often as those living in southern states.

“In some cases, they’re 20 or 30-years-old these heaters,” QFES Senior Operations Coordinator Graeme Hall said.

Queenslanders are being urged to either throw them out or get a qualified electrician to inspect them.

But it's not just old heaters that pose a risk.

More than 150,000 of Sunair and Heller Fan Heaters were sold at retailers like Bunnings and The Good Guys.

Eight models across these two brands fail to meet Australian Standards and present a fire risk:

• Heller and Sunair brand heaters are rated between 1800W – 2000W

• Heller brand fan heater models: FHH06, FHH15, FHH20 & FHH20A

• Sunair brand fan heater models: SFH06, SFH15, SFH20 & SFH20A

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has recalled these models, yet only 4300 of more than 150,000 heaters have been returned.