To ensure the safe and effective use of your electric blanket, it's essential to follow proper usage, maintenance, and storage practices. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on usage, cleaning, and storing your electric blanket. Never leave your electric blanket plugged in unattended.
It's also a cozier and more cost-effective alternative than cranking up the thermostat. While electric blankets are generally considered safe for all-night use, here's what to know to help ensure a good night's sleep.
Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless it has a thermostat control for safe all-night use. Never use an electric blanket if you have an air flow pressure relief mattress, or use emollient creams.
Heating pads and electric blankets cause around 500 fires each year. Almost all of these fires involve electric blankets that are more than ten years old. Learn how to stay safe. There are two types of personal heating appliances, heating pads that are placed directly on the mattress and electric blankets.
It's a fire hazard no matter what you do unless you switch to a different heating pad every 2 hours or so. They we're never designed to run more than 2 hours at a time and that's why they have a 2 hour shut off.
Never leave your space heater alone in the room
The best way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended—that way, if anything does go wrong, you can take action quickly.
If your blanket doesn't have a timer, turn it off before going to sleep. Electric blanks are not safe to leave on all night while sleeping.
Folded or tucked in blankets could overheat and cause a fire. Heating appliances should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.
The average Electric Blankets uses 400 watts. Your devices wattage may be different depending on the brand, size, or other factors. You can generally find the wattage of your Electric Blankets in the user manual or on the device itself.
✓ Don't fold an electric blanket when storing or using it: the wires inside the blanket can become damaged and cause it to overheat and cause a fire. ✓ Check blankets for worn areas, loose plugs or other damage. If your blanket is very old or damaged, get a new electric blanket.
People often forget the importance of fire safety while using electric blankets, but they can overheat and become potential fire risks. There are around 43 electric blanket fires each year in the UK.
Overnight Use: Can you leave a battery blanket plugged in overnight? Most battery blankets are designed for continuous use, making overnight usage a common practice.
Electric Blankets should be replaced every 10 years and tested every 2 years by a qualified electrician. Always check your blanket for scorch marks, water damage, mould or exposed wires. If you see any of these on your blanket do not use it, replace it.
Always keep the blanket on top of you, never placing it underneath you. If you put the blanket beneath your body, it could damage the internal coils. Always turn off and unplug the electric blanket after using it.
Marie says, 'Here's how much each size of this blanket costs to run for eight hours a night: Single: 0.04 x 8 x 0.25 = 0.08 (8p per night) Double: 0.07 x 8 x 0.25 = 0.14 (14p per night) King: 0.09 x 8 x 0.25 = 0.18 (18p per night)'
Electric blankets should never be left unattended when turned on. But, can you leave an electric blanket on all night? We don't recommend sleeping with an electric blanket on all night and a thermostatic control or timer should be used if you choose to leave your electric blanket on.
Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
Heated blankets may get too hot or might cause burns if kept on one area of the body for too long. Heated blankets are regular blankets that contain wires within that heat them up. They may pose a risk for fires and burns.
Overheating and Fire Safety
A common concern is the blanket overheating or worse, catching fire. While older electric blankets (those made before the 2000s) may carry some risks, today's electric blankets are designed with advanced safety features, such as overheat protection and temperature control.
Around 43 fires a year are caused by faulty electric blankets in the home. Three fires a day are caused by heaters.
These products are designed for use while you are awake and can pose a serious fire risk if left unattended while you are sleeping. Using a heating pad or electric blanket while you are sleeping can pose a significant fire risk, as you may not be aware if the product overheats or malfunction.
Schiavon suggests trying an electric blanket or heated foot warmer. These warming devices are generally more energy efficient and likely safer than space heaters, he said. Appliances that draw large amounts of energy can be associated with increased risk of fire or burns, he said.
There have been many reports from doctors that sleeping with the heating on all night can cause your body to overheat much more quickly. The Sleep Charity advises that an ideal bedroom temperature is 16-18 degrees celsius. Temperatures over 24 degrees celsius can impact your sleep and cause restlessness.
Layer Strategically: Place the heated blanket as the top layer directly under a lightweight, breathable duvet or comforter. This configuration allows for better heat control while still providing extra warmth. Heated Mattress Pads: As an alternative, consider using a heated mattress pad under your bedsheet.