Can I sleep with an electric blanket on and are they safe?

ELECTRIC blankets are a popular way to keep warm while keeping your electricity bill low.

However, they do raise some safety concerns you should be aware of – here is how to stay safe while using an electric blanket.

Are electric blankets safe?

Electric blankets are relatively safe and usually don’t pose many safety risks.

However, if yours is at least 10 years old, then you might want to consider purchasing a new one.

According to experts from , the older the blanket, the more wear and tear it has on it, which might make it dangerous to use.

Furthermore, new technology is making it possible for manufacturers to create electric blankets with even more safety features to reduce the risk of fire or burns.

For example, some older models don’t have internal temperature controls which turn them off before they get too hot, and can therefore overheat and even catch on fire.

To make sure that your electric blanket is safe to use, here are some precautions which you might want to consider:

• Make sure that it has a tag that shows testing and approval by an organised body
• Don’t buy a second-hand electric blanket
• Don’t use blankets that are old and have tears or a frayed electric cord
• Make sure the wires and cords fit tightly and properly
• Don’t use blankets with damaged or displaced wires

On the other hand, there are some cases where it’s recommended you do not use an electric blanket altogether.

If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that you should not use electric blankets.

If you suffer from diabetes, the doctor might also advise you against it.

This is because diabetes can cause a complication called neuropathy, or nerve damage.

When this happens, you might not be able to feel how hot the electric blanket actually is and might burn yourself.

How to use an electric blanket safely

When you purchase a new electric blanket, it’s important that you read the instructions that come with it carefully first.

Different brands manufacture different types of electric blankets.

Here are some tips you should follow to ensure safe use, according to :

• Make sure to turn the blanket off when you’re not using it and only use just one at a time.
• Avoid switching it on by mistake by not attaching it to an outlet that also has a light switch.
• Avoid using a water bottle or a heating pad along with your blanket.
• Do not pile it with pillows and blankets and other objects.
• Do not fold up your electric blanket when it’s turned on
• Make sure not to use it on a waterbed or a hospital one.
• If possible, try to never fold your electric blanket.
• If you have to wash your electric blanket, check the manual first to ensure you do it the right way.
• It’s essential that you are 100 per cent sure that your blanket is dry after washing it because it’s dangerous to turn on a wet blanket.
• Don’t tuck the edges of the electric blanket under the mattress.
• Don’t sit or lie on top of it either.

Taking these precautions can prevent the electric blanket from overheating and burning you.

It will also prevent any sort of electrocution.

 emphasises the importance of purchasing your electric blanket from a reliable retailer.

Another important safety precaution to think of is disposing of your electric blanket.

It shouldn’t be thrown away with your general domestic waste.

Instead, you should call up your local council to check where the nearest recycling centre that accepts electric appliances is.

Can I sleep with an electric blanket on?

It’s recommended that you do not sleep with an electric blanket on.

If it is left turned on for a long amount of time, the blanket may overheat and cause severe burns.

Electric blankets are designed to pre-warm your bed.

The blankets and pillows that you have on your bed, will help to capture the heat and keep you warm all night.

That way, you won’t end up getting easily cold throughout the night when you’re asleep.