The risks when using an electric blanket

The colder weather has arrived and is only set to get worse over the next few months. This will leave people feeling frozen in their homes, so they might be tempted to go out and buy items to keep them warm, including an electric blanket.

An electric blanket sounds like a great idea, you can wrap it around you and set it at a high temperature. However, what many don’t realise is the risk that comes with using one of these. 

So our Home Safety Experts have warned against using an electric blanket overnight as it could be deadly. He’s also revealed five tips to use one safely.

On average there are around 1,000 fires per year that are caused by electric blankets in the UK, and these contribute to over 20 deaths. It’s estimated that around 35% of electric blankets are faulty and are at risk of catching fire. You should always avoid turning your blanket on for too long, this is especially important overnight when you are asleep. Always turn off your electric blanket when you aren’t in the room as the risk of overheating increases if it’s not under your supervision.

There have been some reports of heat stroke deaths due to the excessive use of electric blankets. People with medical conditions which involve damaged nerves are particularly vulnerable as they’re unlikely to sense when their body is getting too hot.

Before purchasing an electric blanket, ensure it is approved by the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board. You will know this if the packaging or the product has a mark that says ‘BEAB Approved’. This will ensure that what you buy has been properly tested and is safe to use.

Prior to any use, you should inspect your electric blanket for damage. These can be burn marks due to the blanket overheating, these will often be black or brown in colour, so they should be easy to spot. Make sure not to leave out the control area and wires, these could show that your blanket is at risk of causing a fire. If you see any damage, you should not use the blanket and dispose of it appropriately. Inform the company you bought it from if you have any concerns.

Your electric blanket should come with an instructions manual, this will advise you on how to set it up and what settings are the most appropriate. Give this a full read before you turn the blanket on. It will warn you of the absolute don’ts, which could end up protecting you from serious injury.

It might be tempting to save money and buy a second-hand or older blanket. However, the majority of incidents that occur with electric blankets are with ones that are more than ten years old. Second-hand appliances might also come with damage, and a seller who wants to get the best price might not be keen to tell you about any of these faults. 

On cold British winter days, most of us would love to turn on an electric blanket and lie under it all day. But this increases the risk of a fire, as well as you overheating. Our recommendation is to turn on the blanket for 30 minutes at a time. Then when you turn it off, it will still provide plenty of heat to keep you warm. This won’t just make it safer, it will reduce your electricity bill come the end of the month.

‘’Electric blankets are becoming more common in homes across the country, not just with the older generation but also young people. But many aren’t aware of the potential hazards concerned with them.

Follow my warnings as not doing so could be dangerous for yourself and those who live in your home.’’