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Do you find it hard to sleep at night during the winter months, thanks to the drop in the temperatures, especially after midnight? Maybe you’re looking for some great tips on how to help stay warm this winter.
If that’s not enough, though, you may have considered investing in an extra heater for your home or bedroom, but as that can cost a lot of money, and you wanted to more directly heat your body, perhaps you’ve given thought to buy an electric blanket.
The best option for keeping yourself warm this winter is to invest in one of the best electric blankets for your home. So, it’s worth checking that out to see what brands and models we really rate.
Electric Blanket Safety Tips for Your Home
It’s fair to say there are some benefits of an electric blanket, that can’t be ignored. It’s why they are so popular nowadays. However, along with the benefits, there are also risks involved with using an electric blanket.
While they are not quite as unsafe as they once were, you still need to be cautious and sensible. Due to the evident risks, there have been many people who’ve wondered if you can leave one all night. We’re going to reason on the answer to that very question in this post.
Is It Safe to Leave an Electric Blanket on all Night?
You’ll notice we already highlighted the fact that electric blankets have come a long way in the last 10 to 20 years. While this fact is accurate and true, there is still no clear indication that it would be safe to leave an electric blanket on all night.
If you’re looking for ways to warm your bed for the entire night, without having to leave your electric blanket on here’s how what to do. Rather, you are best using an electric blanket as a method of warming up your bed while you go about your bedtime routine.
You can then switch it off just before you fall asleep and you will notice most reasonably good quality electric blankets will keep you warm throughout the night.
There are even highly sophisticated models equipped with timers to allow you the luxurious option of falling asleep in your bed without worry, while it’s warming up. Still, the electric blankets with manual controls are still warm enough for a night’s worth of sleep.
Hot Tip – If preheating your bed is the way you intend on using your electric blanket, you should think about using it to heat your mattress with a sheet on by pulling the blankets over. After a few minutes, move the electric blanket and use it as a top layer for your bedding.
The blankets help to contain the warmth so your whole bed will be warm. The heat generated and collected this way could last as much as an hour after you turn it off, which will give you more than enough time to get to sleep.
Always Assess and Check Your Electric Blanket Before Using It
Generally, all-electric blankets are built around the same basic principle – a lengthy piece of wire that produces heat is incorporated into the design of the blankety through the innermost fabric layer.
One of the biggest problems is the fact those wires are so thin. This can lead to them damaging very easily if you’re not careful enough. So before doing anything else, you need to give your electric blanket a quick one over and check it for any damages. As a matter of fact, just always handle it carefully.
Look out for the following issues: Scotch marks, exposed wiring or tears in the fabric
If you find any of these damages, get rid of it and invest in a new one. The slight cost-effectivity of patching up an electric blanket is not as high as the dangers involved using one.
Roll, Don’t Fold Your Electric Blanket
Another key thing to remember is not to fold your electric blanket, as tempted as you may be to keep with your normal routine. Folding could cause breakages in the wiring. It’s much better, therefore, to roll it up to keep it stored away neatly and tidily when it’s not being used.
How Long Does an Electric Blanket Last?
The best guide you have for the lifespan of your electric blanket is in the documentation and user’s manual that came with it. Remember though, we used the word guide, as these are not promised lifetimes, but an estimate.
That information aside, it’s important to make a habit of replacing your electric blanket regularly, to reduce the chances of anyone suffering from electrical shock or there being an electrical fire.
When you use your electric blanket as it was intended and in the correct way it can be one of the best tools for staying warm during the winter months at night, particularly in bed when you’re asleep and want to stay that way.
