As the colder temperatures start to roll in, many people will be looking for ways to stay warm in their homes without having to constantly crank up the heating.
So for many, an electric blanket may sound like the perfect solution, what could be any better than wrapping a cosy warm blanket around you which you can set at a high temperature?
While this may sound very appealing in the winter, many don’t realise there are actually several potentially deadly risks that come with using an electric blanket, according to Home Safety Expert Joshua Houston from Household Quotes.
The expert has warned of the dangers of using an electric blanket which includes fire risks and over heating to a dangerous degree. In the UK, there are on average around 1,000 fires per year which are caused by electric blankets, contributing to over 20 deaths.
It’s estimated that around 35 per cent of electric blankets are faulty and are at risk of catching on fire. You should always avoid having your blanket on for too long and make sure it is switched off overnight. It’s important to turn off your electric blanket when you aren’t in the room as the risk of overheating increases if it’s not being supervised.
There have also been some reports of heat-stroke related deaths due to the excessive use of electric blankets. People with medical conditions which cause damaged nerves are particularly at risk as they’re unlikely to tell when their body is getting too warm.
Joshua has now revealed his top five tips on how to use one of these products safely to prevent any life-threatening situations.
Inspect for damage
Prior to any use, you should inspect your electric blanket for any damage, such as burn marks due to the blanket overheating. These will often be black or brown in colour, so they should be easy to spot.
Make sure to double check the control area and wires too as these could show that your blanket is at risk of causing a fire. If you see any damage, you should not use the blanket and dispose of it appropriately. Contact the company you purchased it from if you have any concerns.
Read the instructions thoroughly
Your electric blanket should come with an instructions manual which will advise you on how to set it up and what settings are the most appropriate.
Give this a full read before you turn the blanket on. It will warn you of all potential hazards which could end up protecting you from serious injury.
Don’t buy old or second-hand
While it may be tempting to save money and buy a second-hand or older blanket, the majority of incidents that occur with electric blankets are with ones that are actually more than ten years old.
Second-hand appliances might also come with damage, and a seller who wants to get the best price will probably not be keen to tell you about any of these faults.
Limit usage
On cold winter days, most of us would love to turn on an electric blanket and lie under it all day but this increases the risk of a fire, as well as you overheating.
Joshua recommends turning on the blanket for around 30 minutes at a time before switching it back off which will still allow plenty of time for it to heat up and keep you warm.
This is not only safer practice but will also reduce your electricity bill come the end of the month.
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