Electric blankets are great in the winter, it’s hard to imaging life without one, but they are certainly not without their risks and they are not for everyone. Read this article to find out which groups are best to avoid this piece of technology.
Are Electric Blanks Safe for Children?
Electric beds are not recommended for young children. Adequate supervision is always required when electric blankets are being used. Blankets with heating elements inside of them provide an electric current to the blanket, which heats up to maintain a comfortable temperature. Many electric blankets can be set on low or medium heat to avoid overheating a child. Children, especially young children, can be severely burned or injured by electric blankets because they often crawl under the blanket and sleep on top of it.
Are Electric Blankets Safe for People with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease?
In addition to electric beds being dangerous for young children, electric beds also pose a danger for older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In these cases, electric beds can be fatal if the electric button is accidentally pressed and the bed is turned on. A 2012 study showed that at least one person with dementia died each month in electric beds.
Even though electric beds are not recommended for young children or adults with dementia, electric heating pads and electric blankets can provide extra warmth during cool weather. People who have electric blankets should set the heat at a low temperature and keep electric beds turned off when they are not being used.
Are Electric Beds Safe for Bedwetters?
Electric beds have electric wires in them. These electric wires are often near the electric box, so electric beds cannot be used by bed wetters. A bed wetter should get a regular electric blanket and place it over their regular mattress. Some electric blankets have waterproof layers that protect you from getting electrocuted by your electric blanket.
Electric blankets should be turned off when they are not being used. People who have electric blankets should set the heat at a low temperature and keep electric beds turned off when they are not being used. Electric heating pads and electric blankets can provide extra warmth during cool weather.
