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, Is my electric blanket safe to use?
In most cases, when an electric blanket is used appropriately and according to manufacturer guidelines, an electric blanket does not pose any significant health or safety risks. However, an electric blanket can be unsafe and even dangerous if used improperly.
These risks can also go up if you have children or animals in the house. If you’re worried about this, there are ways to keep warm and save on that heating bill.
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Are Electric Blankets Bad For You?
Below, we will discuss if electric blankets are safe, the potential risks of electric blanket dangers, how they may be bad for you, and safety tips and alternatives that can keep you just as warm.
Possible EMF Exposure
First and foremost, electric blankets have some side effects that can harm your health. Leading advocates 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.
The above can be associated with the EMF (electromagnetic fields) to which electric blanket users are exposed.
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, a cooling and heating mattress pad for the bed, and let the sleep system run quietly in the background.
Do Electric Blankets Cause Cancer?
Throughout the years, multiple studies have concerned 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.
Safety Study: Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from Use of Electric Blankets and other In-home Electrical Appliances and Breast Cancer Risk [2]
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.
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 without being hot enough to cause burns or raise your body temperature.
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. [3]
Potential Fire Hazard
There is a general rule for using electricity: there is always a potential for fire. 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. The fire hazard risk is minimal if you’re using a new electric blanket.
Regularly inspecting the wires inside the electric blanket is crucial to prevent safety hazards. To ensure the wiring in the blanket remains functional and safe for use, avoid crushing the heating elements and wires during storage.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), nearly 500 fires are caused yearly due to electric heating blankets and heating pads. If they're over ten years old, they cause the majority of home fires.
Electric Blanket Fire Statistics: Ninety-nine percent of all electric blanket fires were started by blankets that were 10 years or older.
Before using electric heated blankets, please take a few moments to inspect it thoroughly before use. By taking a few extra seconds before use, you’ll be able to determine if there are any issues with the blanket that can result in injury or a house fire.
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 skin on a child or older adult, when touched with heat, may be undetectable due to altered temperature receptors, leading to possible burning. [4]
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 [5] 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.
Sleep Disruption
Using a heating blanket can help you fall asleep initially, as the warmth creates a cozy and comfortable environment.
However, it’s important to consider that a heating blanket may interfere with your overall sleep cycle. Maintaining a higher body temperature throughout the night can prevent your body from naturally cooling down, which is essential for deeper, restorative sleep.
This continual elevation in temperature might lead to more frequent awakenings or lighter sleep, ultimately disrupting the quality of your rest.
Best Alternative to Electric Blanket
With the potential dangers associated with electric blankets, the question becomes, “are electric blankets our only option?” Fortunately, we are not without alternatives to a heating pad or heated blankets. If you have
If you are concerned about the various safety concerns of using an electric blanket, there are quite a few options and even safer alternatives to help keep you warm.
Below are some safe options to explore.
A Chilipad Dock Pro and Chilipad Cube both circulate temperature-controlled water through a thin mattress pad.
This innovative technology allows you to customize your bed to your exact preference, with the temperature that can be set between 55º to 115ºF, allowing optimal comfort throughout the night.
Whether used as a heated mattress pad or for cooling, the Chilipad is your best option.
Why Choose a Chilipad Over a Heated Blanket?
- Safety: Unlike heated blankets, Chilipads don't generate heat directly on your body, reducing the risk of overheating, burns, or fire hazards.
- **Versatility: **Chilipads offer both cooling and heating functions, making them suitable for year-round use. You can adjust the temperature to your liking, whether you prefer a cool, refreshing sleep or a cozy, warm embrace.
- Even Temperature Distribution: Chilipads provide consistent temperature control across one side or the entire mattress.
- Energy Efficiency: Chilipads use less energy than traditional heating blankets, making them a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option.
Why Water? Water has natural thermal advantages that make our temperature-regulated mattress topper very effective in heating and cooling.
Throw Blankets
That's right.— Try a good, old-fashioned, non-electric blanket to get snug as a bug. This continues to be the easiest way to warm up your bed and keep you warm all night long. When it's time to choose a blanket, make sure it will help you stay warm.
The warmest materials for blankets are cotton, wool, cashmere, and fleece. If one is warm, then two will certainly be warmer. If you're still cold, keep piling on the blankets until you're completely warm.
Flannel Sheets
To help you keep your bed warm, try removing your standard sheets and replacing them with flannel sheets. Flannel traps heat in insulating air pockets. So, when in bed, your body heat is trapped, and the pockets help retain it. Basically, it insulates you while you’re sleeping.
Did You Know: Even though you aren’t in your bed, the pockets continue to retain the warm air.
Pajamas
Sometimes a warm set of pajamas is all it takes to keep cozy when it's cold out. There are plenty of fabrics to choose from to keep warm for a great night's sleep.
Flannel, wool, cotton, fleece, silk, and thermal are just a few that help you stay warm during the cold weather, making getting out of bed during the night a little easier.
Sleeping Tip: If you’re concerned about getting too warm, flannel is the most breathable listed above.
Like Ralphie in the movie "Christmas Story," you could even channel your inner childhood and wear a bright pink bunny suit with big floppy ears to stay warm.
Sleeping with Socks
As strange as it seems, there are benefits to sleeping with socks. When thinking about wearing socks to sleep, it’s expected to think your feet would overheat. But, in reality, doing so may assist in lowering the body’s core temperature regulation, helping you achieve better sleep.
Not only does wearing them help you get better sleep, but a study reported that individuals who sleep with them fell asleep faster. [6]
Do You Wear Socks in Bed? 28% of people love wearing socks when they go to bed, while 44% mentioned they hate going to bed with them on. [7]
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.
- If the electric blanket was stored folded, please do not turn the blanket on.
- Do not dry clean or wash the electric blanket.
- To avoid accidentally turning it on, avoid plugging it into an outlet controlled by a wall switch.
- Avoid using an electric blanket and heating pad at the same time.
- Never use an electric blanket on an adjustable bed, water bed, pull-out sofa, or recliner. The cords and wires can become frayed or pinched.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of safe options to stay warm at night without worrying about the dangers of using electric blankets. Today, many people continue to use them as a heat source. But keep in mind that they should adhere to current safety standards and have an auto shut-off mechanism to prevent fires and overheating.
Frequently asked questions
What Is the Best Option for an Electric Blanket?
The best alternative to an electric blanket is the Chilipad. It provides warmth while allowing you to set a personalized sleep temperature, making it a safer, more comfortable option that helps improve sleep quality. Interested in learning about the differences? Take a look at our comparison of each bed system.
Is It Unhealthy to Sleep With a Heated Blanket?
Not really. They are generally safe for most people. There are some concerns which you should be aware of, including:
- Check them for damage
- Follow instructions
- Use the right setting
- Turn it off before bed
It's best to avoid them if you're pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or are using them for infants and young children.
Why Don’t People Use Electric Blankets Anymore?
While electric blankets are still used by many, some people are concerned about their safety. This can include the risk of overheating or fire hazards. Plus, advancements in home heating systems and cooling and heating mattress pads have made electric blankets less necessary.
Are Heated Blankets Safer Than Space Heaters?
Heated blankets can be a cozy way to stay warm, but they can also pose safety risks if not used properly. Space heaters, on the other hand, can pose fire risks if not used properly or placed near flammable materials.
Modern electric blankets often have safety features, but for an even safer and more efficient option, consider a heated mattress pad like a Chilipad.
These mattress pads (circulates water) provide targeted warmth, helping you sleep at your ideal temperature without the potential fire hazards of space heaters or the blanket-wide warmth of traditional electric blankets.
Citations/References
[1] Francine Laden, Lucas M. Neas, Paige E. Tolbert, Michelle D. Holmes, Susan E. Hankinson, Donna Spiegelman, Frank E. Speizer, David J. Hunter, Electric Blanket Use and Breast Cancer in the Nurses' Health Study, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 152, Issue 1, 1 July 2000, Pages 41–49, View Study
[2] Zheng, T., Holford, T. R., Mayne, S. T., Owens, P. H., Zhang, B., Boyle, P., Carter, D., Ward, B., Zhang, Y., & Zahm, S. H. (2000). Exposure to electromagnetic fields from use of electric blankets and other in-home electrical appliances and breast cancer risk. American journal of epidemiology, 151(11), 1103–1111. View Study
[3] “Modern Electronics’ Affect Fertility.” Www.urophoenix.com, View Resource.
[4] “Are Electric Blankets Safe? How to Use Safely and Alternatives.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 9 Mar. 2021, View Resource.
[5] Belanger, K., Leaderer, B., Hellenbrand, K., Holford, T. R., McSharry, J., Power, M. E., & Bracken, M. B. (1998). Spontaneous abortion and exposure to electric blankets and heated water beds. Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), 9(1), 36–42.
[6] Raymann, R. J., Swaab, D. F., & Van Someren, E. J. (2007). Skin temperature and sleep-onset latency: changes with age and insomnia. Physiology & behavior, 90(2-3), 257–266. View Study
[7] Abramson, A. (2019, June 13). The Science Behind Sleeping with Socks On. Apartment Therapy. View Resource
