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Original poster

Are heated blankets safe?

26 replies

Chiwg · 22/10/2023 08:43

Going to struggle with the gas bill this year I think.

Youngest child is 12.

Are they safe to use really?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 22/10/2023 08:46

Do you mean heated blanket that goes on the bottom of the bed, or a heated throw that you use on the couch etc ?
Having grown up in the 70’s, when there were lots of fires with them, I can’t see me ever getting one.

GladysHeeler · 22/10/2023 08:49

DustyLee123 · 22/10/2023 08:46

Do you mean heated blanket that goes on the bottom of the bed, or a heated throw that you use on the couch etc ?
Having grown up in the 70’s, when there were lots of fires with them, I can’t see me ever getting one.

Electric blankets have changed somewhat in the last fifty years.

Yes they are safe. There are two kinds. Ones that go under your sheet and ones that are a blanket for on top of you.

You can get ones with inbuilt timers which are great because you don't have to switch them off in the morning.

Watchkeys · 22/10/2023 08:52

There's quite strict safety regulation about things that might cause fires, and these blankets are readily available from large, reputable shops. I've not heard a story for 30 or more years of a fire suspected to be started by one. Have you?

We have one on our bed and it's lovely. We use it every night.

We also got one of these each, and don't need the heating on so much when we wear them. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/tuc142282656?clickPR=plp:4:50

This is great for sitting around in the daytime. You can save a fortune with this stuff, honestly. https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/luxury-soft-45-touch-heated-throw-45-grey?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17724362627&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkNOpBhBEEiwAb3MvvVtzlkMyVYCiprG_QXi8XxEbFgDY8YZYDOOERSog5KysgJl3jlYrlBoCP1AQAvD_BwE

TemporarilyshyAF · 22/10/2023 08:56

I've always been fine with under sheet ones as has everyone I know (exept stories from the 80s!).

However I have had 2 heated throws and one had scorched/ burnt Marks and holes on. I can't smell well so didn't notice it at the time. I did get another as they're so useful but bought from a dept store not Amazon. Always use the timer or turn heated blanket off before sleep.

I wouldn't sleep under a heated throw now.

Original poster
Chiwg · 22/10/2023 09:04

I vaguely remember some advert with an old couple burnt in bed 😂😭

Yes electric blankets.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 22/10/2023 09:18

Things have changed. I remember kids playing football in the street, being left in the car whilst their parents went into the pub for the afternoon, being left in a pram outside a shop. Doctors used to recommend that we smoke, 'low fat' was meant to be good for us etc.

God knows what the safety regulations were in the 70s and 80s re electric blankets, but times have changed!

ManyATrueWord · 22/10/2023 09:18

If you leave it on high all night you can get burned. I did it once, it was like sunburn for a few days. I can't say the instructions didn't tell me, it was my error.

Watchkeys · 22/10/2023 09:21

ManyATrueWord · 22/10/2023 09:18

If you leave it on high all night you can get burned. I did it once, it was like sunburn for a few days. I can't say the instructions didn't tell me, it was my error.

Yes, and the instructions on others say you can sleep with them on. There's no blanket rule.

margotrose · 22/10/2023 09:23

DustyLee123 · 22/10/2023 08:46

Do you mean heated blanket that goes on the bottom of the bed, or a heated throw that you use on the couch etc ?
Having grown up in the 70’s, when there were lots of fires with them, I can’t see me ever getting one.

That was fifty years ago - things have changed quite a bit since then!

TLDRfuckers · 22/10/2023 09:25

Watchkeys · 22/10/2023 09:21

Yes, and the instructions on others say you can sleep with them on. There's no blanket rule.

Show quote history

Please say the pun was intended!

Kpo58 · 22/10/2023 09:38

I personally wouldn't trust them. Also how are you supposed to clean them if they have electronics/wires inside?

My DC both have a hot water bottle each which they love hugging whist going to sleep.

BodegaSushi · 22/10/2023 09:55

I have one but never sleep with it on. Get toasty on a high heat then switch off and turn it on first thing in the morning. They heat up quite quickly.

I'd expect you'd get very sweaty if they're left on all night

Octavia64 · 22/10/2023 09:57

You can get ones with timers and temperature controls these days. I use them a lot.

Never heard they are not safe.

SquashPenguin · 22/10/2023 10:02

We have an electric blanket, it’s a godsend on the very cold nights! The lowest setting doesn’t exactly feel ‘hot’, buts safe to sleep with it on and it get's just warm enough to stop you feeling the cold without overheating. We’ve fallen asleep with it on many times and I usually end up turning it off when I wake up in the night.

Electric blankets have got a lot safer since those horror stories of people catching on fire in their beds!

Watchkeys · 22/10/2023 10:03

Kpo58 · 22/10/2023 09:38

I personally wouldn't trust them. Also how are you supposed to clean them if they have electronics/wires inside?

My DC both have a hot water bottle each which they love hugging whist going to sleep.

Mine goes in the washing machine. Insulation is a marvellous thing...

edwinbear · 22/10/2023 10:31

My DC have both had them a couple of years now, currently age 12 & 14, they love them! These days, they come with automatic timers so you can set them for say 1h, 5h or 9hr, usually have a few temperature settings so you can set them on low, medium or high temperature settings. They were a God send last year when we wanted to minimise putting the heating on.

VisionsOfSplendour · 22/10/2023 10:35

Kpo58 · 22/10/2023 09:38

I personally wouldn't trust them. Also how are you supposed to clean them if they have electronics/wires inside?

My DC both have a hot water bottle each which they love hugging whist going to sleep.

You put them in the washing machine or the launderette if too large for the machine

ItsRebekahVardy · 22/10/2023 10:39

We have Lakeland ones. Great we have three

My brother bought one, caught fire! Said it was from Lakeland but I dont know of it was Lakeland’s own or the other brand they stock

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 22/10/2023 10:40

I think things have come a long way since the 70s!

We use oil filled heater on a timer in the kids room. Comes on for 1/2 hour every 2 hours or so in the night to keep the chill off. Works fine

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 22/10/2023 10:48

I think safety standards and technology have moved on, but check for damage before use and use any built in timer (mine doesn't have one you can set, but automatically turns off after three hours).

We use ours on the sofa after DS is asleep, then pop it on our bed for half an hour, so don't sleep with it on anyway.

dottiedodah · 22/10/2023 11:33

I think they have become safe after 50 odd years! However always read instructions ,get a really good make and you should be fine .

Crinkle77 · 22/10/2023 12:03

Watchkeys · 22/10/2023 09:21

Yes, and the instructions on others say you can sleep with them on. There's no blanket rule.

Show quote history

Nice pun there @Watchkeys 😂😂😂

TheyreEatingThemInNelsonAndTheBluff · 22/10/2023 12:44

Kpo58 · 22/10/2023 09:38

I personally wouldn't trust them. Also how are you supposed to clean them if they have electronics/wires inside?

My DC both have a hot water bottle each which they love hugging whist going to sleep.

My electric blanket is machine washable.

The only thing inside the blanket is metal that heats up. There’s no electricity in the actual blanket. You unplug the cable to put it in the machine, sort of how you would unplug a kettle to take it to the sink to fill (if you remember the ones before cordless!).

Even my old nana who died 7 years ago slept on an electric blanket, if she managed to get over the scare of people being set alight in bed in the 70’s I’m sure op will be fine.

Destiny123 · 22/10/2023 12:58

Kpo58 · 22/10/2023 09:38

I personally wouldn't trust them. Also how are you supposed to clean them if they have electronics/wires inside?

My DC both have a hot water bottle each which they love hugging whist going to sleep.

Mine are machine washable at 30 you just disconnect the plug

Thelnebriati · 22/10/2023 12:58

They are much better than they were 40 odd years ago! There's 2 types; under blankets go under the sheets and you sleep on them, and overblankets you use on your lap. Buy a branded one - open a catalogue account or apply for Pay Pal credit if you need to - and use them the way they are intended. With under blankets its worth spending extra and getting the lambs fleece type. They are much more comfortable to sleep on. If you can only afford one get an over blanket for the sofa, and buy extra bedding. A yoga mat underneath the sheets is really good insulation, they do a 10mm one for about £7 in Lidl. Put a fleecy blanket on top of that, and get some fleecy pillowcases as well, they're much warmer and you'll feel the cold if your head is cold.