Share
Got an electric blanket? Here's what you need to know!
There is no doubt that when correctly used, electric blankets can offer a lot of potential benefits. They not only help relieve muscle soreness, back pain, allergies, sinus problems, tension but can enhance your sleep as well. 1 in 3 Australians or 6.9 million people suffer from at least some form of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
Electric blankets have been found to help provide a considerable amount of relief from the associated pains. What’s more, research has proven that electric blankets may help boost your mood. Evidently, there are many reasons why you would want to buy an electric blanket.
Electric blankets
Unfortunately, electric blankets do come with their fair share of risks, especially when incorrectly used. This implies that users must always use these handy devices according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer to minimise the risk of injury and other potential dangers. For emergency electricians to inspect your electrical contact Gordon’s Powers.
Here are some dangers of electric blankets that you should be aware of:
1) Overheating and burns
An electric blanket usually directs heat where you need it most thus promoting a relatively more fulfilling sleep on cool winter nights. However, using these types of blankets may cause your body to overheat.
Overheating, in turn, can cause complications to individuals suffering from diabetes and other health conditions. Diabetic patients are known to have some degree of insensitivity to excess heat and as a result, may find it hard to tell whether the blanket is excessively warm. Therefore this sensation increases their risk of burns in extreme cases.
Reports have also indicated that using electric blankets during pregnancy can potentially raise your risk of miscarriage. This is because the increased body temperature can cause some harm to the unborn child. So if you are an expectant mum, do yourself a favor and stay away from electric blankets.
2) Fire hazards
There have been cases of huge fire being triggered by electric blankets. Just like any other electric appliance, these devices can spark the fire and cause property damages and put lives at risk.
To minimise the risk of fire when using an electric blanket, you should always switch off the unit after using it. Equally, conduct a daily inspection on your blanket to identify any signs of damage. If you spot any visible problems such as frayed wires, consider replacing it altogether. Finally, always use your blanket according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
It is also critical to note that you should not use your electric blanket if you usually sleep with a pet. This is because they will likely chew it during the night and cause damages to the wires, a reason why fire accidents occur.
3) The danger of cancer
An electric field is often created around any device that utilises electric energy and electric blankets are no exception. Even though electric blankets may only produce relatively low-frequency electromagnetic fields, they can still pose a real threat to your health.
Studies have established that there exists a strong link between the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and cancer. When using an electric blanket, your body becomes close to these EMF fields.
4) You won’t sleep without it
Did you know that there is an addiction that comes with the long-term use of electric blankets? Once you have developed a habit of sleeping under it, you’ll find it difficult to sleep without. This, in turn, increases your risk to nearly all the other dangers previously discussed.
These are just a few of the dangers of using an electric blanket. Improper use of these electric appliances may make them potentially dangerous in your bedroom. If you must use one, then strictly follow the washing instructions of the manufacturer to prevent any damages to your blanket. You should also not iron them as this could easily melt the cables.
Even though the exact level of danger that this blanket pose to human health is somehow debatable. It is quite easy to deduce that warming your body using electricity on a consistent basis can have detrimental effects on your well being. Ask our qualified electricians for advice on how to reduce your risk of danger.
