Electric blanket do’s and don’ts
An electric blanket can be your best friend on a cold winter night. It heats your bed to keep you toasty warm as you fall asleep, allowing you to lower your thermostat and potentially reduce your energy bill (Remember that the blanket also uses electricity, though!).
If you haven’t purchased one recently, you may be surprised at the improvements. Instead of the scratchy electric blankets from your grandmother’s day, modern models are made with soft, fleecy material. They use low-voltage wiring, are more energy efficient and are held to higher safety standards, reducing the chance for shocks and burns.
There’s a way to ensure your safety and be sure to reduce your heating bill — don’t leave your electric blanket on all night. What?
Here’s what you should do: Place your electric blanket on top of your sheets and turn it on. Leave it on for 15 minutes or so. Then turn the blanket off and climb into bed. The sheets should stay warm at least an hour, giving you time to fall asleep in comfort.
Here are some more tips for using an electric blanket properly:
Do
* Make sure your blanket is approved by a nationally recognized testing agency.
* Read the instruction manual carefully. Different types may have different directions.
* Inspect your blanket carefully before plugging it in. Look for tears, exposed wires or scorch marks; discard it if you see any damage.
* Turn down the thermostat. If you don’t you will use more energy than you would with a regular blanket.
Don’t
* Use it if you are immobile or incapacitated. They aren’t recommended for children, either.
* Sit or lay on top of it. This may damage the internal coils.
* Fold it. The creases may cause the internal wires to break; loosely roll it instead.
* Run the control cords between the mattress and the box springs.
You may see newspaper articles or blogs that warn against layering a comforter over an electric blanket. But The Electric Blanket Institute (yes, this exists!) reports that it’s OK.
There is no way to inspect an electric blanket for internal damage. If you have any doubt about its safety, or if it’s at least 10 years old, stop using it.
To keep the rest of your home warm, call Sam Pollard & Son at 252-752-3661. Our professionals can repair or replace residential heating units in Greenville, NC, and the surrounding area.
