Heated blankets can help keep you warm in the winter and reduce your heating bill, but like all electrical devices, they can be dangerous when used incorrectly. Before you use a heated blanket, read the manufacturer’s instructions, and familiarize yourself with basic heated blanket safety guidelines.
Proper Use
Turn your heated blanket on only when you are using it, and remember to turn it off in the morning or when you get out of bed. When electrical wires are compressed or pinched, they can malfunction and cause a fire. To protect the cord and prevent a fire, never run the cord from your electric blanket under your mattress, and do not use a heated blanket in a recliner or adjustable bed, where cords could be unintentionally pinched, warns the Electric Blanket Institute. Keep water and liquids away from your electric blanket when it is plugged in, and do not use a heated blanket on a waterbed. Your electric blanket should lie flat on top of you. A heated blanket can create a fire hazard if it is folded or bunched up or if a person or other objects are on top of it. Keep pets away from electric blankets so they do not puncture or chew on the components.
Care and Storage
If heated blankets become damaged through cleaning or improper storage, they may be unsafe to use. According to the Electric Blanket Institute, it is not safe to dry clean or iron heated blankets, and you should never dry them in commercial dryers. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper cleaning, which may include a gentle wash cycle and limited drying, according to the Electric Blanket Institute. To store your blanket, loosely roll it up, and place it in a sealed plastic bag, making sure no cords or parts are pinched. Keep the bag in an area where rodents and pets cannot harm it.
Health Concerns
All electrical devices, including electric blankets, produce electromagnetic fields. In the past, some researchers became concerned about a possible link between electromagnetic field exposure and cancer. The U.S. National Research Council declared there was no conclusive link between electromagnetic fields and cancer, according to the Electric Blanket Institute. According to the National Cancer Institute, there does not appear to be a link between electric blanket use and an increased risk of leukemia, brain tumors and breast cancer.
Considerations
Certain people should not use electric blankets. Research results have been less clear about the risk electromagnetic field exposure poses to unborn babies, according to the National Cancer Institute. The Electric Blanket Institute advises pregnant women to avoid electric blankets. If you have diabetes or a pacemaker, you should avoid electric blankets unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Warning
If your electric blanket shows signs of damage or begins to overheat in certain areas, stop using it immediately, and call the manufacturer if you need additional assistance.
