How to Shop for Electric Heated Blankets and Use Them Safely

How to shop for an electric blanket

When shopping for an electric blanket, there are several features that our experts recommend considering.

Make sure the blanket has an overheat protection sensor to switch it off if it gets too hot, plus control with raised markings for handling in the dark. Fitted blankets are more convenient than those with string ties, and a fleecy blanket should be more comfortable than a thinner one. Select one with a high energy efficiency rating.

Automatic shut-off and timer

As discussed above, you should purchase a heated blanket that’ll automatically turn off after a certain amount of time. The auto shut-off feature can be effective at reducing fire and burn risks.

Some electric blankets will have a timer feature to dictate the amount of time you want the blanket to be on before automatically turning it off. “If you’re going to use it at night, you can set that timer and once you fall asleep, it turns off rather than sleeping the entire night with it on,” said Urban.