With the cold temperatures showing no sign of abating and forecasts for snow in February, Scots are on the hunt for ways to stay warm in their homes.
Electric blankets are a popular choice for people who want to climb into a cozy bed at night and they’re relatively cheap to run instead of the heating with some costing just 1p per hour to use.
But an expert has sounded a warning over the blankets which can be a fire risk and he has advised to switch them off while sleeping.
Joshua Houston, Home Safety Expert at WhatCost said the risk of fires is something people need to be very aware of and that faulty blankets are the biggest risk.
He said: “‘Electric blankets are becoming more common in homes across the country, not just with the older generation but also young people. But many aren’t aware of the potential hazards concerned with them.
“Follow my warnings as not doing so could be dangerous for yourself and those who live in your home.’
“On average there are around 1,000 fires per year that are caused by electric blankets in the UK, and these contribute to over 20 deaths. It’s estimated that around 35 percent of electric blankets are faulty and are at risk of catching fire.”
Joshua said it’s crucial they are not left on for extended periods and definitely not when you are sleeping.
He explained: “You should always avoid turning your blanket on for too long, this is especially important overnight when you are asleep. Always turn off your electric blanket when you aren’t in the room as the risk of overheating increases if it’s not under your supervision.”
Electric blankets also come with a risk of you overheating. This is more of a risk for people who have certain medical conditions.
He said: “There have been some reports of heat stroke deaths due to the excessive use of electric blankets. People with medical conditions which involve damaged nerves are particularly vulnerable as they’re unlikely to sense when their body is getting too hot.”
To ensure you’re using your electric blanket safely, he has put together a list of tips:
1. Make sure the blanket is BEAB-approved
Before purchasing an electric blanket, ensure it is approved by the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board. You will know this if the packaging or the product has a mark that says ‘BEAB Approved’. This will ensure that what you buy has been properly tested and is safe to use.
2. Inspect for damage
Prior to any use, you should inspect your electric blanket for damage. These can be 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 not to leave out the control area and wires, 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. Inform the company you bought it from if you have any concerns.
3. Read the instructions thoroughly
It should come with an instructions manual, this 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 the absolute don’ts, which could end up protecting you from serious injury.
4. Don’t buy old or second-hand
It might be tempting to save money and buy a second-hand or older blanket. However, the majority of incidents that occur with electric blankets are with ones that are more than ten years old.
Second-hand appliances might also come with damage, and a seller who wants to get the best price might not be keen to tell you about any of these faults.
5. Limit usage
On cold 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. Our recommendation is to turn on the blanket for 30 minutes at a time.
Then when you turn it off, it will still provide plenty of heat to keep you warm. This won’t just make it safer, it will reduce your electricity bill come the end of the month.
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