Is it safe to leave a portable box fan running in your room at night while you sleep?

Question

I bought a mini box fan, about 12 inches high or a little less, made by Wexford and sold at Walgreens for $10. I plan on putting it in my room to help cool it down so I can sleep at night, but I am worried about the motor overheating and starting a fire. Do you have a mini box fan you keep on all night?

Answer 1

Absolutely.  It would be no more dangerous than running a clock, refrigerator, etc.

Your only concerns would be a damaged cord, water mixed with electricity, and/or a recall on the particular product.  (Many items ask the buyer to register the product, and those registrations usually create a relationship between the buyer and manufacturer whereby the manufacturer will alert the buyer if something is defective.)

Most likely, you will not have any of these concerns.

Sleep tight!

Answer 2

I have run a small fan for years in my bedroom.You have nothing to worry about. Run it and sleep tight..

Answer 3

don't use a cheap extension cord...they overheat more often than the fan would

you should be good to go with this fan

Answer 4

I use a small fan as well and leave it running all night and have never had a problem. If you still feel uncomfortable about leaving it on maybe you could try plugging it into one of those timer devices to shut it off at a certain time.

Answer 5

It'll be fine. Box fans cool themselves with the same air they blow by sucking it through the back of the fan and blowing it past the motor before it exits through the front. The only reason it could possibly over heat is if place the back of it (the side that sucks the air in) too close to a wall, or let it get covered (allow for 6-8 inches of clearance between the back of the fan and any wall). This makes the motor work too hard and it can over heat. Even then, if a box fan over heats it generally fails completely and stop working long, long before it catches fire. I would be amazed if you actually succeeded in getting one to ignite. You'd have better luck starting a fire in a rainstorm.

Answer 6

As long as the bearings in the motor are good, there will not be a problem. The fan will help cool its own motor.

Answer 7

the usual safety precautions in place the fan is perfectly safe. Nothing should be near the fan, the fan should not be able to get knocked over (cats & dogs) electric socket in good condition.

we run them all the time

My grandchildren run little desk fans which are fastened to the wall up away from them all night.  

keepin cool, Della

Answer 8

Why dont you just leave it running all day when you're home over the weekend. That way you can feel better about leaving it running while you're sleeping. I sleep with a bigger box fan, never had any problems with it. I dont see why the mini ones cant serve it's purpose. Unless instructions say not to run past a certain amount of time.  

Answer 9

yep. i keep it on all the time it never gos off

ive had it for 5 years i think its fine. but good question

Answer 10

A small portable fan should be fine for night sleeping. They are constructed for hard use and running one throughout the night is not presenting a danger.  Sleep cool and sleep tight.

Answer 11

I leave a fan on all the time and have not had a problem.

Answer 12

Yes I have the same fan and keep it in my window.