WELLCARE Blog

A Guide to Electric Blanket Safety

Written by Wellcare | Dec 18, 2017 8:53:00 AM

Are your electric blankets safe? Can I use it overnight? Can electric blankets be used for babies or dogs? The safety is always put in the first place for us. It’s important for us to be aware of the quality of the products we get. 

The things that we use need proper maintenance and care in order to perform well - and to keep from literally blowing up, on occasion. This applies to all products we use, however small or unremarkable they may be.

Are electric blankets safe?

For something built with a simple goal and design in mind, electric blankets still demand a certain amount of care. As a product that we use quite often and while we’re asleep, it’s important to be aware of the features and safety procedures that need to be followed when we use one.

 

So if you want to avoid accidents with your electric blanket, here are 5 ways you can check your electric blanket safety to make sure it’s working the way it should.

 

How safe are electric blankets? Just look over it

 

The best way to check if your electric blanket is safe is by looking. Does it have a burn or tear in any place it shouldn’t? How about discoloration or weird bumps where there shouldn’t be any? Look at the electronic components: is the container loose? Are screws missing? Buttons that don’t work when they should?


Simply applying a keen eye towards your electric blanket is a good way to start measuring how safe it is before you use it. In fact, you can use this method even before buying it. Shoddy craftsmanship is a sure sign that your electric blanket is subpar.

 

Are electric blankets safe to leave on all night?

 

The most common questions about electric blankets is whether it's safe to leave them on overnight. Nowadays, electric blanket with good quality is unlikely to cause problems with proper use, yet overnight use is not recommended

 

Instead, it's recommended to warm up your bed by the electric blankets before you get in, and to turn them off before you fall asleep. The 4D DWF technology will not only give you the luxury of falling asleep in a bed that's still warming up, but also provide enough warmth to keep you comfortable even if you deactivate them before drifting off.

 

When you use an electric blanket in this way, you may feel the warmth for up to an hour, giving you plenty of time to fall asleep. Besides, you also have to pay attention to the followings of your electric blanket:

 

Are electric blankets safe to use

 

Keep your ears open

We have an instinct for hearing if something is wrong - and if you electric blanket is making a noise you think it shouldn’t when it starts, something is probably wrong with it. Even just a slight crackling noise may signal something is amiss.


Smell it

Smelling the fabric is more than just making sure there’s nothing that’s seeped into it - it’s also to check if the fabric is easily singed, or has been singed before. If something even smells vaguely like burning clothing, switch off the electric blanket and send it back.


Be a little sensitive

One of the best ways to check if something is wrong with your electric blanket is to check if it feels too cold or too warm when in use. Having your temperature wrong is one of the easiest ways it can malfunction - and can also cause the most harm to you, if you’re not aware.


A good way to test this is to leave it on the highest heat setting for a couple of minutes, then checking if there are any uneven spots throughout the blanket. If there’s a patch that has a different temperature than the rest of the sheet, it could be the sign that you have a defective unit.

 

If something goes wrong, just ask

Finally, just asking the manufacturer about the right way to use the blanket and the steps you should follow for its maintenance and care can go a long way in making sure that you use your electric blanket safely. The best way to keep a high-quality product is to give it the treatment it deserves, and for a product like an electric blanket, a little care can go a long way.

 

Are electric blankets safe for babies and for dogs?

 

Here are some other helpful tidbits you need to keep in mind when using an electric blanket.

 

electric blanket dos and don'ts

  • Dos
  1. Do unplug the power cord after every use.

  2. Do let your electric blanket cool completely before you store it away.

  3. Do regularly check for signs of damage like exposed or frayed wires, scorched areas of fabric, unusual discolouration in the power cord, or uneven temperature in parts of the product.

  4. Do keep pets away from the electric blanket

  5. Do replace your electric blanket if it is ten years old.

 

  • Don’ts
  1. Don’t use an electric blanket on infants, small children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

  2. Don’t use an electric blanket on a water bed, hospital bed, sofa beds, and chairs.

  3. Don’t use an electric blanket if it’s damaged in any way.

  4. Don’t twist the electric blanket’s power cord.

  5. Don’t use your electric blanket if it is not yet fully dry.

 

Follow all the aforementioned instructions, and you can rest easy knowing that your electric blanket is well-maintained and will be usable for many years.

 

Stay Warm With Wellcare

 

If it’s innovations in warmth that you’re looking for or simply something to satisfy your need for a better sleeping environment during the winter, look no further than Wellcare’s 4D Dynamic Warmth Flow system (4D DWF). A new innovation in heating pads and blankets that allows you to craft your own climate while sleeping, it’s a welcome addition to keeping you comfortable during the long winter months.

 

Curious? For other topics on similar products, you can check out our blog on what makes a heating pad worth the price. Click here to check out our catalogue of products. For more information about partnerships and our Dynamic Warmth Flow system, you can contact us here.

 

Read more:

What is revolutionary about 4D DWF Technology in Electric Blankets and Heating Pads?


Wellcare: a name you can trust

 

Prioritize your safety by choosing Wellcare. Our products are manufactured under strict guidelines, and our electric blankets are no exception. Wellcare’s line of premium electric blankets are made using the highest quality materials available to keep you warm, comfortable, and most of all, safe. They’re also 100 per cent machine-washable at 30°C, which makes them very easy to clean and maintain.