Electric Blanket Safety Tips
Have you been using an electric blanket to keep you warm and toasty this winter? Like anything electrical, they provide convenience but when dealing with anything electrical, you should always keep safety top of mind. Catalyst Electric wants you to continue to stay warm for the rest of winter but we also want you to do it safely! Our electrical contracting company at the Lake of the Ozarks is focused on electrical safety and that's why today, we have a few do's and don'ts when using an electrical blanket.
1106 Runabout Drive
Do's
- Always keep your electric blanket flat. You never want to wad up or fold your electric blanket because it can become too hot.
- It may be tempting to lay on top of your electric blanket rather than underneath but you should always lay underneath to avoid damage to the coils.
- Be sure to turn off your electrical blanket when no one is using it. Not only will this help you cut costs on your energy bill but it's not safe to leave your blanket on because most models will not shut off automatically or regulate the heat if it gets too hot.
- Only loosely wrap the cords when putting it in storage.
- Turn off and unplug your blanket if you suspect it is not working correctly. If the blanket starts to smoke or smell, you should dispose of the blanket because it is no longer safe to use. If you notice a discoloration in your blanket, it is a good indication that something is melting internally.
Don'ts
- Never use an electric blanket on small children and infants who can't control the heat settings on their own.
- If you plan to use your electric blanket all night, make sure that it is rated for overnight use. Not all electric blankets are intended to be used for long periods of time so never use an electric blanket overnight if it is not it's not rated for it.
- Never cover up the electrical cord to your electric blanket. Especially never run your power cord between your mattress and boxspring.
- Don't pinch, bend, or twist the cords because this can cause damage.
- Don't use an electric blanket and a heated mattress pad simultaneously. This can cause too much heat and potentially start a fire.
- Don't wash your electric blanket in the washing machine.
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