Safest Electric Blankets

Properly Used Blankets

• Some blankets are only dangerous when parts of the blanket overlap, which can cause the heat to become too concentrated, leading potentially to burns. The electric blankets can also develop faulty wires that can cause the blanket to get too hot. Children should not use electric blankets.

Low-Electricity Blankets

• Some electric blanket users fear that the electromagnetic fields in the blankets can cause health problems. Although the research on the hazards of these fields is not conclusive, some electric blanket designers have created blankets with reduced electromagnetic fields just in case these fields really are harmful. Some blankets can convert 120 volt AC currents into 16 to 18 DC currents, reducing the amount of voltage coursing through the electric blanket.

Automatic Shutoff

• Sometimes, users forget that their electric blankets are on. This can cause the blanket to wear out and can also increase the chances of a fire if the blanket is close to a combustible material. However, some electric blankets have an automatic shutoff feature that turns the blanket off after operating for 10 hours.

Washable Blankets

• The electric blankets inevitably get dirty. When owners go to wash the blanket, they might discover that the blanket has shrunk. Shrunken blankets concentrate the heat generated by the blanket and can make the blanket get hotter. Fortunately, some electric blankets resist shrinking when washed. Users should always make sure that their blanket is dry before it is used again. Some electric blankets should never be washed, so check the manufacturer's guidelines to make sure that your blanket is washable.

New Blankets

• Most electric blankets will wear down over time. Owners should have their electric blankets inspected by a professional every three years to make sure that the blanket is functioning properly, according to Galt Tech.

Variable Heating

• When the electric blanket gets too hot, owners should be able to lower the temperature so that they do not burn themselves. Some blankets have as many as10 heat settings.