Heated blanket

[HyggeWinter]

AIBU to ask why I can't switch one on when it's folded? Is it due to overheating or the elements managing to work through the material if stretched?
The blanket I have just bought can be detached and machine washed so surely that is more likely to cause that?

I need to know as I am using a small double one on my half of our King size bed with the remaining length hanging at the side of the bed (due to bed sharing with a DC). As it's positioned this way, it's not fixed to the mattress and is held in place by the fitted sheet, it could potentially fold and crease. The blanket can be used all night on low but I'm terrified that when I toss and turn I will electrocute myself in my sleep so am having to switch off at the most relaxing point.

Wisdom welcome

You mean there are no electric blanket experts on here??

I have an Aldi heated throw, it is amazing!

The instructions also say not to use folded, I presumed because of overheating, but also thought it might be to prevent the cables snapping inside where they fold and then heat up (iyswim)

My first throw broke after about 6month, it went cold in patches, Aldi replaced it, but I feel they are probably susceptible to snapping inside.

I have a heated throw it says it can be machine washed but would that not break the thing that the plug goes into.

Buy a dual control blanket then you won't need to fret as much.

I think the folded wires are a risk.

I wouldn't go to sleep with a heated throw or blanket on, OP.

I may upgrade the size but its a waste of money in that neither my DC or DH will use that side, my husband likes to be cold when he sleeps.

It begs the question of what happens if the heating strips snap and poke through the fabric? Will that be the same as touching a plug wire?

I always thought it was advised to sleep without them on but the one I bought says it CAN be used on low heat. I probably wouldn't use it to sleep on though I can imagine a freezing night waking up and switching it on then falling asleep again without turning off.

I don't know but I bought the dreamland dual control heated matress protector last year and its brilliant. Turn it on before I get in bed and it heats up the matress and duvet, no more getting between cold sheets. I was going to get a blanket but presumed if I put it on the bed over the duvet my bed wouldn't get warm, or do you use it under your duvet?

Just buy a single one and have it on your side only.

You wouldn't get a shock the same as touching a plug, there aren't 240v flowing through them plus if the wire did break it should blow the fuse.

Personally I'd use it hanging over the bed, it's not a sharp crease, the folding advice is probably just to cover themselves, I wouldn't sleep with it on though.

I use a heated throw every evening when I'm on the sofa, I cocoon myself in it and during the day I roll it up and the wires are fine plus as you say they're folded up when they're in the washing machine.

The wires heat and then the heat is dissipated through the blanket surface, warming you in the process. If the blanket if folded, there's too much wire in one area creating heat and too little surface area to allow the heat to dissipate, so it will overheat. Same reason as not switching the christmas lights on while they're still all in a tight bundle.

A second reason may be that sharp folds over time will weaken the wires.

I'm just reminded that the first electric blanket my parents had was one that my father made out of a quantity of high resistance wire and a blanket.

Ah thanks everyone. I was in that limbo between logic, science and my own knowledge!

Likethebattle
I have a heated throw it says it can be machine washed but would that not break the thing that the plug goes into.

I couldn't believe the water wouldn't get in the plug-in socket on mine so was very reluctant. Eventually it really needed washing, put it in machine expecting it to no longer work. I left it drying for week and plugged in and it worked perfectly.

I have a new issue, it's sliding off my bed as I didn't secure it with the elastics (due to only wanting it on one side?) I may swap for a single one, any genius ideas on how I can stop it moving around under the fitted sheet?

I would be terrified of having an electric blanket with children in the bed

Just get a dual one that fits properly. Saves a lot of faff.

And your DH may find he does want to use it occasionally.

They scare the crap out of me with the fire risk so I would not risk using it differently to how the manual says. They will be overcautious with a modern one probably but just in case.

You can get long clips to keep sheets in place, I'd use one of those on the underside of the mattress between the two elastics in the middle of the bed, and hook the other two over your side.

I don't think there will be any electrocution risk, the problem is a smouldering/fire risk. However I expect the blanket part is made out of fire resistant material (or impregnated with flame retardant) and the plug should have a surge protector in to cut off the charge if anything unusual is detected.

Also be sure it is a decent brand and not a cheap Asian import bought on the internet - be extra aware if bought from amazon, ebay or aliexpress.

www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/electric-blankets/

Mine is Slumberdown bought from Argos for that very reason, no way would I have imported one for every reason you can imagine! It does say it has shut off etc. I've manage to get the elastics around the bed to fix it where I want it.

Good oh :) Amazon in particular can be really hard to tell these days. DH is forever picking up stuff that he reckons he has checked and is legit but it turns up with bad Engrish instructions and breaks in about a week.

I wouldn’t use an electric blanket while sleeping if there is a child in the bed.