Every winter when I was growing up, my grandmother got out the electric blankets and put them on the beds in her house. I loved spending the night there and snuggling under that blanket with heat I could adjust to just the right amount for me.
However, some people worry that the use of electric blankets might pose some risks to their health. Let’s look at some of the common concerns associated with electric blankets and see what medical research has to say on the subject.
Disrupted Sleep
A report on an Australian study in Truestar Health states that use of electric blankets can disrupt your sleep. The study found that people wake more frequently throughout the night when using electric blankets. Of course, a night of poor sleep is not really dangerous, but over many nights, sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality can begin to have a negative effect on one’s health.
Risk of Cancer or Other Illness
While some people express fear that use of electric blankets may increase the risk for certain types of cancer, multiple studies have found no relationship between any form of cancer and electric blanket use. In fact, use of electric blankets has not been causally linked to any illness in medical studies. While the use of damaged electric blankets may cause injury to disabled people and infants, the blankets do not appear to cause any illness or injury in healthy adults.
When Not to Use Electric Blankets
It may seem like common sense, but don’t use electric blankets that appear damaged or seem not to be working right in some way. Don’t use blankets with broken cords or any exposed wires. If in doubt about a blanket, don’t use it.
Some people should not use electric blankets. According to the Electric Blanket Institute, infants and people with disabilities that might have trouble moving away from a blanket that gets too hot should not use them due to the risk of injury. Pregnant women should not use electric blankets without their doctors’ or midwives’ approval because getting overheated may lead to some complications. In addition, people that have pacemakers should not use electric blankets without their doctors’ approval because they may experience adverse reactions.
Talk to your doctor or other health care provider if you are not sure if it is safe for you to use an electric blanket.
Sources:
Truestar Health. http://truestarhealth.com/members/cm_archives13ML3P1A14.html. Electric Blanket Warnings.
Web MD. http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20001110/turn-up-heat-on-your-electric-blanket. Turn Up the Heat on Your Electric Blanket.
Electric Blanket Institute. http://www.electricblanketinstitute.com/safety.html. Are Electric Blankets Safe?