The cold weather usually means a welcome return for that snuggly electric blanket. On a chilly night, there is nothing nicer than slipping into a warm bed and instantly chasing away the cold feeling in your feet.

Yes, electric blankets are lovely and toasty. But they can also be a massive hazard if they are not properly cared for. They can even cause a fire if they are not used correctly.

So, our top tips for staying safe with your electric blanket are, minimising the risk of fire, using them safely, and ensuring that you get them tested regularly. Let’s look into each of these points in a little more detail.

Fire Risks

Electric blankets can be used as a cost-effective heating solution in the cold winter months. Especially as you can pick them up from your local store for a relatively low price. But if you are not careful with them, they can also be a real fire danger.

Fire departments see many house fires in winter, and a lot of them are caused by electric blankets. There have even been cases where they have caused a house fire significant enough for families to lose their homes and all their possessions.

Obviously, you don’t want that to happen at your place! So, here is how you can minimise the fire risks…

• Check for frayed cords and visible damage before using
• Do not leave items on top of the blanket – things like washing baskets can cause the temperature to rise to dangerous levels one isolated spot and ignite the washing in the basket
• If you notice your cat or dog leap off the bed, that can be a sign the blanket is getting too hot
• Don’t leave a wheat bag under the covers with an electric blanket on, it may cause the wheat bag to continue heating to a dangerous temperature
• Do not place your electric blanket under too many heavy coverings
• Be aware if you smell smoke and have smoke alarms installed in your home

Use Them Safely

Electric blankets are perfectly safe if you use them as they were intended, and you regularly check them. Here is how you can do that…

• Store your blankets by rolling them, folding them can damage the heating coils
• Only use them to heat your bed – turn them off when you are ready to hop in for the night
• Do not leave your electric blanket going all day, only turn it on at night time around 30 minutes before you are due to go to sleep
• Ensure they are laid flat on the bed with no creases or kinks
• Secure them with the manufacturer’s method, do not use pins or sharp objects to fix them to your bed
• Keep the cord and switch section clear of the bed to avoid damage and to provide easy access to the controls
• Ensure the cord has no kinks in it and that nothing is placed on top of it
• Visually check the blanket every time you change the sheets
• Never use a blanket that is damaged

Get Them Tested

It is really important that you get your electric blanket tested annually, especially if it has been folded in a cupboard over the warmer months. As we mentioned above, folding or scrunching the blanket itself can damage the heating coils which causes inefficient use and a higher risk of fire.

There are a couple of important things you should do before putting your blanket on the bed.

1. Check the cords and surface of the blanket to ensure there is no visible damage, fraying of the cords, or scorched areas.
2. Put the blanket on the bed and turn it onto high for 15 minutes. Then, use your hands to feel each part of the surface. If any parts are too hot to touch, then you definitely need to get the blanket professionally tested.

Even if your blanket looks safe to use, there could be some other issues that aren’t immediately obvious. Fortunately, we are able to test your blanket for you to ensure it is safe to use. We can also recommend if components should be repaired or replaced to allow it to function safely.

Get in touch with us at Rankin McManus today to book a tag and test for all of your family’s electric blankets. We charge a fixed fee for this service, so there are no surprise costs.

Let’s face it, who can put a price on the safety of your family!