According to the National Cancer Institute, electric blankets are a source for extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMFs), as are power lines, electrical wiring, and electrical appliances such as hair dryers and shavers. Never iron or dry-clean these blankets. Electric Blanket Fire Statistics: Ninety-nine percent of all-electric blanket fires started by blankets that were 10 years or older. Radiation: Electromagnetic fields. Although there is much debate, there is no conclusive evidence of a link between cancer and the extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields that electric blankets generate. Are Electric Blankets Safe? Transparency Disclosure We may receive a referral fee (at no additional cost to the buyer) for products purchased through the links on our site or other applicable pages. There are a few concerns about using electric blankets that you cannot ignore. Staying warm in your house while trying to keep heating bills down can be a challenge. Although hypothetical, some research and studies state that electromagnetic waves or radiation might damage your cells. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cuddle up to a hot water bottle. Loosely roll. Last medically reviewed on March 9, 2021. If the meter shows a reading that denotes a Zero reading, it means that the wire or the cable is in good condition. Try a Space Heater. Verify that the electric blanket is plugged into the wall. Best electric throw blanket:iTeknic Heated Blanket Electric Throw Best budget electric blanket:Sunbeam Quilted Fleece Heated Blanket Best overall electric blanket:Degrees of. The brand says the blanket has comfortably thin heating wires and it's machine-washable and dryer-safe in case of stains or debris. Yes, if the cord of your blanket is worn out or damaged, you can replace it with a new one. Physiology & behavior, 90(2-3), 257266. It can be used as a heating blanket or weighted blanket. It's machine-washable, dryer-safe, and comes in 5 traditional bedroom decor colors. Read on for more information on how to shop for and maintain an electric blanket. This is because of the essential role the skin plays in thermoregulation, the bodys system of regulating temperature. Now, in the midst of all these conveniences that these easy-to-use warming bedspreads offer, people often tend to forget that they are electrical appliances at the end of the day. Safety Study: Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from Use of Electric Blankets and Other In-home Electrical Appliances and Breast Cancer Risk [2]. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. [3] Modern Electronics Affect Fertility. Www.urophoenix.com, View Resource. By taking a few extra seconds before use, youll be able to determine if there are any issues with the blanket that can result in injury or a house fire. Eddie Bauer | Signature Fleece Quilted Plaid Electric Heated Mattress Pad with Safe & Warm Low-Voltage Technology, King. This may break them or damage them internally, leading to malfunctioning of the bedspread. Preheat the bed using the under blanket. Heating products, especially those with high settings, also have the potential to burn users, with the most risk surrounding children and the elderly. Keep the cable, controller, or remote away from water. They are electric, which means they pose the same risks as other electric items in a home. 9. For years, the correlation between electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) and cancer have been debated. A fter more than 50 hours of testing, we concluded that the SoftHeat - Ultra Micro-Plush is the best electric blanket. It is also important for people to maintain their electric blanket properly and ensure it is stored correctly to minimize damage. Sleeping difficulties can negatively impact a persons health. Pet chewing or clawing may damage the parts, resulting in functioning failure. Bean Wicked Cozy Heated Blanket, $189 Best lightweight:. Well, mostly true and if youre on this page, you may be asking yourself, Is my electric blanket safe to use?. Learn about some top options. Amazon. Set the right temperature and add detergent Now it's time to actually wash your electric blanket. Learn about some of the best heated mattress pads to try here. Repairing some common problems in your Electric Blanket, Keep this in the back of your Mind as you Cuddle In your Heated Blanket, Best Queen Electric Blanket Single Control. Well, it circulates channels of water to neutralize ambient temperature from 55-115F. If you're still cold, keep piling on the blankets until you're completely warm. The electric blanket wont turn on!! They might not feel the increasing amount of heat in the blanket, leading to higher degree of burns. You can do this by placing it flat on your bed then checking that there are no creases, kinks or broken heating wires in the blanket, and the controller plugs cords are in good condition. Electric blankets and heaters can overheat, cause an electric shock, or spark, and cause a fire, according to Mr. da Silva. Just like any other heat therapy like sauna, hot belt, etc. 9. Keeping warm can make life so much easier. Ultra-Soft Cooling Blanket for Hot Sleepers, TOTO Drake WASHLET+ Two-Piece Elongated 1.6 GPF Universal Height TORNADO FLUSH Toilet with C2 Bidet Seat, Cotton White - MW7763074CSFG#01. If it is, then turn it to the off position and then back on to see if this fixes the problem. According to Columbia University, a person should never use both types of blankets at the same time because it may present a significant fire hazard. 11. We love this Serta Brand Soft Luxe Plush Electric Blanket for a few reasons. This product can be controlled with your voice through Alexa-enabled devices such as Amazon Echo and Amazon Tap. For the past few decades, electric blankets are a boon during those cold wintery nights when even the slightest amount of heat can make you feel like you are in heaven. For this reason, doctors may advise against using an electric blanket or other forms of heating pads. Best Overall: Serta Heated Throw Blanket. If the electric blanket was stored folded, please do not turn the blanket on. Place power cords and blanket into a bag. This continues to be the easiest way to warm up your bed and keep you warm all night long. If you have poor blood circulation, you could be insensitive to heat. Never struggle with a cold foot or chilly shoulder again with this wearable heated blanket. Also check if the controller is properly functioning or not You need to unplug the cord (the blanket, actually) and see that all the parts of the plug are intact and tightly fitted. Sold at Sharper . It can still be used as a regular blanket. To avoid accidentally turning it on, avoid plugging it into an outlet controlled by a wall switch. Avoid some of these electric blanket common problems and you can find yourself holding onto these blankets for longer periods of time. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have diabetes and want to use an electric blanket, consider using it to warm up your bed before bedtime and then turn off the blanket or remove it before getting into the bed. Therefore, the best way out is to get a little exposure to these blankets as possible. Do remember that the older your blanket gets, the wires, the cords, and the devices inside become more worn out. Older adults may also wish to avoid using electric blankets. Did You Know: Even though you arent in your bed, the pockets continue to retain the warm air. Sleep Tip: Are you interested in giving this method a try? Other reasons may be a malfunction in the wiring that may eventually get exposed to water. Age-dependent changes in temperature regulation - A mini review. Don't use the blanket while it is wet or damp and don't . SleepAdvisor.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Visit our Sleepme customer support website in a new tab. Not only does wearing them help you get better sleep, but a study reported that individuals who sleep with them fell asleep faster. 5. While electric blankets these days are made much safer than they used to be, they are still . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Before you actually dig deeper into the issue, here are a few basic things that you can run through to try and resolve electric blanket common problems: Once you have done the basic things mentioned in the pointers above, if your problem doesnt seem to have any resolution, then you may have to go for electric blanket controller repair. Modern electric blankets are much safer than their predecessors. One of the dangers associated with these products is overheating. Hotels near Wake & Groove Wassersportpark, Geisenfeld on Tripadvisor: Find 2,587 traveler reviews, 71 candid photos, and prices for 1,051 hotels near Wake & Groove Wassersportpark in Geisenfeld, Germany. The blanket is safe even in the case of moisture. These blankets have thin wiring inside them with an external plug that needs to be connected to an electric board on the wall outside. At times, fixing these blankets might seem impossible. Young children, especially infants and those under 3, may not know how to properly control the product or are not physically able to adjust it themselves if they get too hot. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. An alternative approach is to use the electric blanket to heat the bed before the person gets in, then turn off or remove the blanket at bedtime. Basically, it insulates you while youre sleeping. It's a heated throw blanket suitable to keep you warm for low to moderately-cold climates. Theres no one-size-fits-all when it comes to better health and better rest, but no one has time to sleep, let alone figure out how to upgrade the sleep theyre getting. This can be due to the accumulation of dirt residue in the part that gets into the blanket opening, or even a loose connection. Make certain that the blanket hasn't shut off due to an automatic timer. $71.54 (2 used & new offers) Soft Heat by Perfect Fit | Ultra Soft Plush Electric Heated Warming Blanket with Safe & Warm, Queen, Beige Beige 1,677 $17161 FREE delivery Fri, Apr 21 Or fastest delivery Wed, Apr 19 Options: 2 sizes SoftHeat Smart Heated Electric Mattress Pad with Safe & Warm Low Voltage Technology, Dobby Stripe, Twin, White 1,125 You need to unplug the cord (the blanket, actually) and see that all the parts of the plug are intact and tightly fitted. Let the machine agitate for 2-3 minutes, then skip to the rinse cycle and remove the blanket immediately after the cycle finishes. You can remove the cable completely and then insert it again after removing the dirt carefully. Turn it on for an hour or two before bed and you'll have a cozy mattress. Open the controller and check if there is anything loose inside the thermostat. Power lines, electrical devices, and extremely low frequency radiation. A second study examined a possible link between these products and breast cancer, but they found no conclusive evidence that heated bedding devices increase a womans chance of developing breast cancer. The design of an electric blanket or heating pad is often constructed of wires and additional components; all it takes is one of those wires to fray or crimp, causing a life-threatening scenario. You can then cuddle up to it, or use it to keep your feet warmer for the first half of the night. $50 at Amazon. The electric blanket and cancer connection, berkeleywellness.com/self-care/over-counter-products/article/electric-blankets, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/diabetes/faq-20057786, fairfaxva.gov/government/code-administration/fire-life-safety-education/home-safety/electric-blanket-safety, cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet, blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2018/12/06/electric-blanket-safety/, goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/heating-blanket-safety-0, cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/radiation-exposure/extremely-low-frequency-radiation.html, who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Eating Over 6 Teaspoons of Sugar Daily May Raise Your Risk of These 45 Health Conditions, 5 Food and Drink Types to Limit If You Have Prediabetes or Diabetes, Everyone Over 35 Should Be Screened for Type 2 Diabetes, Say Researchers, A Daily Coffee May Reduce Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Overheating of these blankets may cause burns on your skin. BEST WEARABLE OPTION: Beautyrest Ultra Soft Sherpa Heated Wrap Blanket. Exposure to electromagnetic fields from use of electric blankets and other in-home electrical appliances and breast cancer risk. This should be done with water that is either cold or warm. Even though modern heating blankets are considered generally safe, they should be used correctly. Another concern is that these products could become a fire hazard, especially if they are older or poorly maintained. Dont use an electric blanket that has wires and attachments that dont fit tightly and properly. With that said, if your blanket is new and is malfunctioning, check the warranty terms and conditions. Electric blankets have come a long way since they were first introduced, and they're safer and more stylish . For more ways to stay . Below, well talk about whether electric blankets are safe. 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