Are Electric Blankets Safe for Overnight Use?
As the winter weather sets in, many people turn to electric blankets to keep warm during the night. However, there are potential side effects associated with prolonged use of electric blankets overnight. It is important to use these winter essentials in the right way to avoid any potential risks.
Potential Side Effects of Using an Electric Blanket Overnight
Doctors have warned against leaving electric blankets on all night, as they can cause the body to become too hot. This poses a particular risk for vulnerable individuals such as babies, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions. For example, individuals with diabetes and neuropathy may not be able to detect the overheating caused by electric blankets, potentially leading to burns.
In addition to the risk of burns, prolonged use of electric blankets can also have a negative impact on sleep quality. Research has shown that electric blankets can raise body temperature, disrupting the natural sleep cycle and leading to poor sleep quality.
How to Safely Use an Electric Blanket
Despite these risks, electric blankets remain a popular choice for staying warm in the winter. To minimize the potential side effects, it is recommended to use the electric blanket to pre-heat the bed, turning it off before getting into bed. Other alternatives for staying warm during the night include wearing warm pajamas and socks, taking a hot bath before bed, or drinking a warm beverage.
It is also important to regularly check the condition of the electric blanket to ensure it is functioning properly and to avoid any potential hazards such as twisted wires. By following these guidelines, individuals can safely enjoy the warmth provided by electric blankets during the cold winter nights.
If you use an electric blanket, a winter necessity, overnight, side effects can occur, so we recommend using it the right way. / Shutterstock
As the weather cools down, I want to lie down on an electric heated blanket to warm my tired body before going to bed. What are your essential items this winter? It would be an electric blanket.
Usually, when you go to sleep with an electric blanket on, you often leave it on all night. However, although doctors explained that electric blankets were a great tool for surviving the winter, they expressed doubts about leaving them on all night.
The ‘reasons why you shouldn’t sleep under a hot blanket’ presented by the UK’s HUFFPOST are as follows.
◆ Reasons why you should not sleep with an electric blanket on
Electric blankets cause a side effect of the body becoming too hot. This is particularly dangerous for those who are vulnerable to disease, such as babies or the elderly.
For example, diabetes can cause neuropathy. Therefore, patients suffering from diabetes and neuropathy can become insensitive to the overheating of the electric blanket and can suffer burns.
In addition to injuries caused by high temperatures, electric blankets cause side effects. The quality of sleep is low.
Research has shown that people tend to fall into deep sleep when their body temperature is low, but electric blankets can increase body temperature and have a negative effect on sleep time and quality.
◆ How to prevent the side effects of electric blankets
Despite the side effects mentioned above, an electric blanket is a necessity during the cold winter. So how should we use it?
Doctors recommend heating your bed as a compromise. The idea is to turn it on an hour before going to bed, then get under the covers and turn it off.
Another way to keep warm through the night is to wear thick pajamas and socks. Other methods include taking a hot bath or drinking a warm drink before bed.
Since an electric blanket is an electronic product, it is also important to pay attention to basic precautions. We recommend checking frequently to see if there are any problems such as twisted wires and if the electric blanket is working properly.
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