Are Electric Blankets Safe? Risks, Facts & Safer Alternatives

An electric blanket is, well, electric. It heats. It warms you when you are cold and can be a welcome release from winter nights if you’re living in colder climates. This sounds like a perfect solution to cold weather and saving on your heating bill, right?

Well, it’s mostly true, and if you’re on this page, you may be asking yourself, Are electric blankets actually safe to use?

The short answer is yes. Electric blankets are generally safe when used correctly and manufactured to modern safety standards. However, they can carry risks related to overheating, electrical faults, and prolonged heat exposure.

If you sleep cold or deal with chills, joint pain, or temperature sensitivity during chemotherapy, this guide breaks down electric blanket safety and better alternatives for all night warmth.

Are Electric Blankets Bad For You?

Each year in the U.S., around 500 fires are sparked by electric blankets and heating pads, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). The usual culprits?

Aging products—especially those over a decade old—with frayed wiring, unreliable temperature controls, or overheating elements that push beyond their limits. It’s a heated risk that’s not worth ignoring.

Did You Know: The cord is its direct link to the power source—and if that connection is damaged, you could be exposing yourself to serious safety risks.

Below, we will discuss whether electric blankets are safe, the potential risks associated with them, and how they may be detrimental to your health. We will also provide safety tips and alternatives that can keep you just as warm.

How to Make Your Bed Warmer

Before we discuss if are bad for you, there are other ways to make your bed warmer!

Staying warm in bed during the winter can be a real challenge! Some people find that layering up with extra blankets, like a cozy fleece throw on top of their comforter, helps.

Others swear by warm socks, a hot bath before bed, or even using a Chilipad bed cooling system, which can warm up to 115 degrees!

If you're looking for more tips and tricks for staying warm all night, check out our guide on keeping warm in bed.

Possible EMF Exposure

First and foremost, they have some side effects that can harm your health. Leading experts for the disuse of modern electric blankets (due to the health risks) argue that using these products enhances your risk of a cancer diagnosis, [1] pregnancy problems for women, and decreased fertility in men.

As mentioned in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the above can be associated with the EMF (electromagnetic fields) to which electric blanket users are exposed. [2]

Like any electrical appliance, electric blankets and heating pads emit some EMFs. While scientists disagree on how harmful they can be, there's one thing that can't be argued: if a product emits EMFs, the last thing you want is for it to be on top of your body, especially for extended periods of time.

Many people remove EMF-emitting devices from their bedroom, including laptops, cell phones, and other devices and appliances.

Did You Know: Are you concerned about EMFs? Users can reduce EMF when enabling "Airplane Mode" with the Chilipad Dock Pro bed system, our best cooling mattress pad for the bed, and let the sleep system run quietly in the background.

Do Electric Blankets Cause Cancer?

Throughout the years, numerous studies have examined the connection between cancer and the extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) generated by electric blankets. Still, no conclusive evidence from those studies links electric blankets to cancer.

Research conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology explored whether the use of electric blankets and various household appliances increased the risk of breast cancer due to Electromagnetic Field (EMF) exposure. [3]

Concern About Using a Heated Blanket While Pregnant

Developing fetuses are susceptible to environmental conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women stop using electric heating blankets while pregnant to avoid any possible risk of complications. [4]

Electric blankets can be safe to use during pregnancy as long as they are set to a moderate temperature. Aim for a warmth level that keeps you comfortable, ideally using electric blankets with automatic shut off features to prevent getting too hot.

Electric Blankets and Male Fertility

According to Dr. Desiderio Avila at Phoenix’s Ironwood Urology, radiation from electric blankets can possibly damage a woman’s eggs as well as a man’s sperm.

“Testing has revealed that radiation emitted from electric blankets is astronomically high, reaching over 70,000 times acceptable levels,” says Avila. [5]

Potential Fire Hazard

There is a general rule for using electricity: there is always a potential for fire. All it takes is one wire to fray or crimp to cause a life-threatening scenario.

The Statistic: According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), nearly 500 fires are caused yearly due to electric heating blankets and heating pads. [6]

The Risk Factor: 99% of all electric blanket fires were started by blankets that were 10 years or older.

Did You Know: Electric heated blankets cause about 5,000 house fires per year in the US.

Risk of Body Burns

Heating products, especially those with high settings, also have the potential to burn users, with the most risk surrounding children and the elderly.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) notes that a child's or older adult's skin may not register heat contact due to altered temperature receptors, making them vulnerable to burns. [7]

Children under the age of 3 may be unable to control the temperature settings on an electric blanket properly.

Blanket Safety Tip: “It’s important that anyone with reduced sensation, inability to communicate, or diminished capacity not use electric blankets.” should be wary [8] as well since you don’t want to raise their body temperature to more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or it could be harmful to the baby, conducted by study published in Epidemiology.

Why They Might Disrupt Your Sleep

Using a heating blanket can help you fall asleep initially, but it may interfere with your overall sleep cycle.

• Temperature Regulation: Your body needs to naturally cool down for deep, restorative sleep.
• Awakenings: Continual elevation in temperature might lead to more frequent awakenings or lighter sleep.

Are There Alternatives to Electric Blankets

Yes, if you're looking for a safer, smarter way to stay warm at night, traditional electric blankets can overheat or pose fire risks, but there are better options out there.

• Layering: Cozy fleece throws or warm socks.
• Thermal Bedding: Breathable fabrics that trap natural body heat.
• Water-Based Systems: The Chilipad Dock Pro circulates temperature-controlled water rather than using electrical wiring on the bed.

Electric Blanket Safety Tips

Although today’s electric blanket technology has improved in safety over the years, it still remains important to take precautions to ensure that the experience is as safe as possible.

Below, you'll find a few safety guidelines you should follow to help prevent accidents with unsafe outcomes.

• DO NOT turn the blanket on if it was stored folded.
• DO NOT dry clean or wash the blanket.
• DO NOT use on an adjustable bed, water bed, or recliner (wires can get pinched).
• DO unplug the blanket when leaving it unattended.
• DO avoid plugging it into an outlet controlled by a wall switch to prevent accidental activation.

Who Should Be Cautious?

Certain groups face a higher risk due to reduced ability to sense temperature changes:

• Older Adults: Age-related changes can make it harder to notice overheating.
• Children: Those under 3 may be unable to control settings; older children may not recognize when a blanket is too warm.
• People with Reduced Sensitivity: Conditions affecting nerve function or circulation limit the ability to feel burns.
• Pet Owners: Pets can damage cords or concentrate heat in one area.

A Safer, Smarter Way to Stay Warm at Night

Electric blankets can make cold nights bearable—but they come with real risks. From EMFs to fire hazards, staying warm doesn’t have to mean taking chances.

Safer sleep technology, including bed cooling systems, gives you comfort and control without the worry.