For colder months, an electric blanket can be a welcome addition to your bed; providing some much-needed warmth to help make bedtime more comfortable. Electric blankets are entirely safe when used correctly and can benefit you greatly when the temperature drops. As with all household electrical appliances, there are a few things to keep in mind when using and caring for your electric blanket to ensure that it is kept in optimal working order and you avoid any hazards.

This article explores everything to do with heating blanket safety to ensure you get the most out of your electric blanket in a safe way. We will also look at when you should purchase a new electric blanket and alternative methods of keeping warm.

How to use an electric blanket safely

Electric blankets are perfectly safe providing they are used correctly. Below is a quick checklist of steps you should take to keep your blanket in tip-top condition:

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with your electric blanket.
• Never use an electric under-blanket as an electric over-blanket, and vice versa.
• Keep all electric blankets flat.
• Fasten electric underblankets to the bed or mattress with the ties/straps provided – this stops them slipping and creasing, which could damage them.
• Only leave electric heated blankets switched on all night if it has thermostatic controls for safe all-night use. Otherwise switch it off and disconnect it before you get into bed. More information about whether you can sleep with an electric blanket on can be found in our dedicated guide to sleeping with an electric blanket.
• Don’t get blankets wet, but if your blanket does get wet, don’t use it. Never switch it on to dry it.
• Don’t use an electric blanket on a waterbed or an adjustable, hospital-style bed.

People who should not sleep with a heated blanket on

Despite the warmth and comfort you get from electric blankets, they aren’t suitable for everyone.

Young children

Younger children can’t regulate their body temperature as easily or as quickly as adults can. It’s recommended that heated and electric blankets are not used by infants under five years old.

Once your child is of a suitable age, it’s essential to consider if they are mature enough to use a heated blanket correctly. You can opt for a single electric blanket with an auto-shutoff feature for added safety. Still, they should also be able to identify when they feel too hot and operate the controller without any issue to avoid overheating.

The elderly and immobile

Older people or those with mobility issues may have health restrictions that could make it hard to react if they are getting too hot in bed and could struggle to switch off their electric blanket when needed. For these reasons, the use of electric blankets should be closely monitored for the elderly and those with reduced mobility.

An alternative method for warmth such as a cosy all seasons duvet or down comforter should be sought instead to keep the elderly and immobile comfortable.

Are electric blankets bad for your health?

One safety aspect that needs to be considered is the impact of the use of electric blankets on your health. Even prolonged use of modern electric blankets can lead to poor blood circulation and disrupted sleep patterns. 

Potential risks to individuals with certain medical conditions are increased

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia will find it more difficult to recognise when they are too hot under their electric heated blankets and so are more likely to overheat or burn themselves.

Likewise, if a person has diabetes, they may be discouraged from using an electric blanket by a medical professional as their ability to feel when they are overheating is greatly reduced.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women are greatly discouraged from using electric blankets as they increase an individual’s core body temperature which can be dangerous, particularly in the first trimester. The additional heat may cause harm to the unborn baby so it’s best to be avoided. A suitable option would be to opt to have the blanket on to warm up the bed so it’s not cold to get into, and then remove it when it’s time to go to sleep. An alternative bedding option to help you fall asleep naturally without raising your body heat is a weighted blanket.

When should you purchase a new electric blanket?

As the weather gets colder, many people will be dusting off their electric blankets to see them through the winter months. If you have been using second-hand electric blankets, now is the time to get yourself a new one before hazards occur.

Here are some other things you should look out for to help you determine whether it’s time for you to purchase new heated blankets:

• Creasing or folding
• Soiling or scorch marks
• Damp patches
• Frayed wires inside the fabric or the fabric itself
• Worn electrical wires and cords
• Exposed elements
• Loose connections
• Damagaed power lines
• An old BEAB safety mark (a round symbol)

If you do not take care of your electric blankets they could turn into a significant home fire hazard. Fires started by electric heated blankets occur when the electrical wiring gets frayed and damaged, causing sparks to fly and set fire to the surrounding fabric. Luckily many modern blankets come with built-in safety features to avoid hazards when the blanket is switched on, it is still the users responsibility to maintain electric blanket safety. 

Other safety precautions you should be aware of are to avoid folding or excessive creasing of your heated blanket could cause stress on the internal wiring and cause fires. Something else that can cause a fire is a wet electric blanket. This is because the damp will short circuit the electrics and pose a fire hazard. 

All electric blankets should come with BEAB (British Electrotechnical Approvals Board) approval – this is a widely recognised safety mark to offer assurance that your heated appliance has been tested to verify how safe it is to use. If your electric blanket has a round BEAB symbol, this shows that the product is over 10 years old, and you should replace it. The new BEAB sign is in a rectangular box with rounded corners and says ‘BEAB’ in capital letters, followed by the word ‘Approved’ underneath. 

How should an electric blanket be safely stored?

Ideally, your electric blanket should be kept in the bag it came in or a container when not in use. This is to prevent it from collecting dust and lint, as this could pose a fire hazard when the blanket is next used. When you store your electric blankets, like with any other regular blanket, they should be kept in a dry place so it doesn’t get damp and mouldy.

If you have a spare bed that is used infrequently, you could store your electric blanket in the guest bedroom when it’s not going to be in use on your main bed – this will keep it out of the way, yet free from any potential issues that could arise from improper storage. An added bonus for your guests is that there’s an extra layer on their bed that acts as a mattress topper!

You should also consider the cable on your electric blanket when you store it away. Ensure the cable is not tangled or folded more than is necessary; overly bending the cords or the embedded heating wires could damage them, overheating the blanket and causing it to malfunction.

Alternative ways to stay warm during sleep

If you still want to fall asleep in the warm without needing to worry about the impact of an electric blanket, there are a few options you could consider:

• A traditional hot water bottle
• Heating pads
• Pre-heating your bed with an electric blanket or heating pad
• Wear cosy socks
• Drink warm tea before bed

Choosing the best electric blanket for you

Whether it's a double electric blanket you need or a bigger king size electric blanket, Sleepseeker has an electric blanket range to suit your needs. Choose from various heat settings, auto-shutoff for peace of mind, or even an electric blanket with dual controls for when you and your partner just can’t agree on the perfect temperature! All electric blankets sold by Sleepseeker come with a complete 2-year guarantee and have BEAB approval for your assurance.

Electric Blanket FAQs

Is it safe to sleep with an electric blanket on?

The short answer is you can leave an electric blanket on overnight, but you shouldn’t for several reasons. We explore these reasons in our comprehensive guide, ‘Can you sleep with an electric blanket on?’.

Are electric blankets a fire hazard?

If you are not careful with your blanket they can start fires, especially if they get wet or there’s damage to the electrical components. If you see any damage to your blanket, you should look to replace it straight away.

How often do electric blankets catch on fire?

Research has found that an average of 5,000 house fires are caused by electric blankets every year for a variety of reasons. If you use the blanket safely and in line with the instructions, it is not likely that a fire will occur.

At Sleepseeker, we are experts in bedding. We stock everything from duvets and pillows to mattress protectors and wellbeing bedding.

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