Electric blankets have gotten a bad reputation due to some unfortunate accidents. Sadly, most of the accidents were completely preventable if the electric blanket owners had practice proper electric blanket safety. In fact, when used properly, warming bedding is a safe and effective way to keep yourself warm in the winter, with similar amounts of risk as your home’s furnace. Here are the top tips to remember when using electric blankets.

Know Who Shouldn’t Use Electric Blankets

Some people should not use electric blankets or should only use them after discussing them with their healthcare providers. Small children or infants should not use them. Also, people who have limited sensitivity in their extremities or lack the mental capacity to use the controls should not be allowed to use them. Pregnant women should consult with their doctors first, as should diabetic patients. Patients with pacemakers should talk to their doctors and the pacemaker’s manufacturer before using warming bedding.

Things You Must Do When Using Warming Bedding

Electric blanket safety starts with understanding how the product is to be used and cleaned. Always read the manufacturer’s label and instructions before using the product. Pay close attention to the way in which the product is to be cleaned. Some warming bedding should not be washed with water.

When you are not using the bedding, turn it off. There is no reason to heat an empty bed, and this limits the chance of an electrical short occurring when you are not nearby.  Also, you do not need to spend the money on electricity to keep a bed warm that is not being used.

When using electric blankets, always keep the heated area flat. Allowing the blanket to ball up somewhere in your bed could create a fire hazard, as the heat will get concentrated somewhere it should not be.

Electric Bedding “Don’ts”

When using electric bedding, do not place it between the mattress and the box spring. If you are using an electric mattress pad, place it between the sheet and the mattress. Otherwise, keep all electric blankets on top of your bed. This rule applies to the control cord as well. If the cord is damaged and is underneath the mattress, the heat would be trapped in the mattress, which could lead to a fire.

Never use these products on a waterbed. Also, do not allow your pets to be near them. Animals can damage the wires by chewing or clawing the bedding. Dogs who chew the wiring could be injured.

Pins and drinks are two things that must never be brought around the electric blanket. A pin could puncture the heater wire, and a drink could be spilled and cause a short. Never iron your electric bedding or use cleaning solvents on it, as this will damage the heater wire insulation.

In Conclusion

Electric blanket safety is really a matter of common sense. Keep heat in mind when using the product, and do not place it somewhere that could cause heat to get trapped. Inspect your product for frayed wires or signs of wear before using, and do not use it if there are problems. As long as you practice common sense and use your blanket safely, you can enjoy the warmth of an electric blanket without concern.