An electric blanket generates warmth through its built-in heating elements. It warms you up when cold and can be a welcome relief on winter nights if you live in colder climates. Sounds like an ideal cold weather solution and saves on heating bills, right? That’s mostly true, but you may be wondering, “Are electric blankets safe to use?”
When used correctly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions, electric blankets rarely pose significant safety or health risks. However, when used incorrectly, electric blankets can become unsafe, or even hazardous. These risks can also increase if you have children or pets at home. If that worries you, there are alternative ways to stay warm and reduce your heating bill.
In this article, we’ll explore how to measure and reduce EMF exposure from electric blankets, ensuring you can enjoy their warmth while minimizing any risks. We’ll also discuss who might need to avoid using electric blankets and explore alternative ways to stay cozy during those chilly nights.
Are Electric Blankets Safe?
Should I be concerned about the electromagnetic radiation they emit? This question is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions by people considering using an electric blanket to relieve sore muscles, ease chronic pain, heal injuries, and stimulate circulation.
In fact, all household appliances, including electric blankets, heating pads, and mattress protectors, hair dryers, computers, and coffeemakers, generate EMF (electromagnetic fields). These invisible lines of force occur naturally (they cause a compass needle to point north) and surround electrical devices, power lines, and power cords.
As our daily lives become more and more filled with electronic devices, concern is growing about the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. There is no clear evidence that these fields cause cancer, but since exposure is highest at close range and electric blankets are held very close to the body, we recommend you find another way to warm up.
However, electric blankets have side effects that can be harmful to your health. Leading advocates of moving away from modern electric blankets (due to health risks) argue that these products increase the risk of pregnancy complications for women and reduced fertility in men.
Do Electric Blankets Cause Cancer?
Researchers have looked into whether there might be a link between EMFs and cancer.
The National Cancer Institute identifies two types of EMF:
- Higher frequency EMFs include gamma rays and X-rays. They belong to the ionizing part of the spectrum, which can damage DNA and cells.
- Low to medium-frequency EMFs come from the magnetic fields generated by electrical devices and power lines, including electric blankets. They are non-ionizing and do not cause damage to DNA or cells.
Electric blankets emit extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. However, there’s no evidence linking them to cancer.
Electric Blankets and Diabetes?
Some diabetics may experience neuropathy or nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. This condition can impair their ability to sense the heat level of an electric blanket, which can lead to overheating or burning of the skin.
Because of this risk, doctors may recommend avoiding electric blankets or other heating pads. Another approach is to warm the bed with the electric blanket before the person goes to bed and then turn off or remove it before bed.
Do Electric Blankets Improve Circulation?
Electric blankets may not be safe for individuals with circulatory issues.
Similar to diabetic neuropathy, a 2008 study notes that individuals with circulatory problems may have reduced sensitivity to heat levels. This is due to the important role the skin plays in thermoregulation, the system that regulates body temperature.
As a result, using an electric blanket can cause burns, as individuals may not feel the blanket getting too hot. Individuals should consult a doctor to confirm that it is safe to use these products to produce heat.
Electric Blankets And Pregnancy
Electric blankets may not be safe during pregnancy due to their generation of non-ionizing radiation.
Some research suggests that exposure to non-ionizing radiation could increase the risk of miscarriage. The study found that the rate of miscarriages among people in the high-exposure group was twice as high as among those in the low-exposure group.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that overall data does not support that environmental electromagnetic fields increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. However, they emphasize the need for further research.
Before using an electric blanket during pregnancy, consult with a doctor.
Who Else Should Exercise Caution with Electric Blankets?
The following individuals should avoid using electric blankets. They should consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best way to stay warm if they need additional heat.
Seniors
Older adults should also avoid using electric blankets, as their skin may have altered temperature receptors, meaning they cannot detect when they are too hot, which can lead to burns.
People with Dementia
Also, electric blankets may not be suitable for people with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
A 2015 study indicates that those with Parkinson’s disease may have difficulty regulating their temperature. Additionally, people with limited mobility may bend or break internal blanket wires, which could lead to a short circuit and a fire.
The Alzheimer’s Association indicates that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease may experience alterations in their sensitivity to temperature. Therefore, caregivers should closely monitor the use of heating pads and electric blankets to prevent burns.
How to Measure EMF Radiation from an Electric Blanket?
All you need is a high-quality EMF meter that can measure all types of electromagnetic radiation. We recommend the TriField TF2 because it is user-friendly and highly accurate, measuring all three types of electromagnetic radiation.
To measure radiation, turn on your EMF meter to detect electric fields and then move it toward the mat while it’s in use. Slowly move the EMF meter along the mat and note how much radiation it gives off in different places.
Even the electric blankets which emit little to no EMF radiation will probably emit a small amount. However, you should see almost no EMF radiation where your body touches these electric blankets.
But measuring EMF radiation is just the beginning. To get a clearer picture of your overall exposure and ensure that you’re within safe limits, we’ve developed a handy Electric Blanket EMF Calculator.
Our calculator helps you estimate the magnetic field strength and cumulative exposure based on your blanket’s specifications and your usage patterns. By inputting details such as the blanket’s voltage, current, distance from the blanket, and exposure time, you can quickly determine whether your electric blanket’s EMF levels are within safe limits. This tool not only simplifies the process but also provides a visual representation of how your exposure compares to safety guidelines.
What Can I Use Instead of an Electric Blanket?
Given the potential dangers linked with electric blankets usage, you might wonder if they are our only option. Fortunately, are there alternatives to electric blankets or heating pads?
If you’re concerned about the safety of electric blankets, there are even safer options and alternatives to staying warm. Below are some safe options to try.
Bamboo Blankets
Bamboo bedding is a fantastic solution for cold nights in the frigid winter months. If you sleep hot, the winter months can be a refreshing change after enduring weeks of constant heat. However, cooler nights don't always eliminate built-up sweat. When you snuggle into bamboo viscose sheets, they provide breathability that promotes continuous air circulation and reduces night sweats.
In addition to reducing night sweats, bamboo viscose bedding is great at regulating heat. They help regulate your body temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Because bamboo is a natural insulator, it allows the body to breathe without causing irritation.
Apart from keeping you warm on those chilly nights, our Bamboo Orgone Blankets also provide EMF protection for optimal comfort. These environmentally friendly bamboo Orgone Blankets are infused with octaves of frequencies which create and bring into being a powerful Negative Ion resonance used for energy healing or Orgone Therapy, making them the best in natural sleep aids.
This amazing resonance is the healing component, which extends to around 10 meters (33 feet) from these highly effective and incredibly relaxing energy healing Orgone Blankets. Our blankets give you an ultra-soft cuddle for your home or bed. Enjoy the relaxing, healthy, and safe EMF shielding of our Bamboo Orgone Blankets.
Throw Blankets
That’s right – opt for a good, old-fashioned, non-heated blanket to get cozy. It’s still the simplest way to warm your bed and keep you warm throughout the night. When choosing a blanket, make sure it offers the warmth you need.
Fleece, cotton, cashmere, and wool are among the warmest materials for blankets. For extra warmth, consider using bed sheets made from these cozy materials as well. With wool and cashmere, be sure to check the washing instructions.
If one blanket isn’t enough, layering two or more will definitely keep you warmer. Keep adding blankets until you feel cozy and warm.
Water Heated Blanket
One study found that an increase in core temperature can lead to a significant reduction in sleep efficiency: the total time an individual spends sleeping in bed. This can happen by creating a constantly heated environment that interferes with the body’s sleep cycle. The best cooling blanket can help improve your sleep!
Flannel Sheets
To keep your bed warm, remove regular sheets and replace them with flannel sheets. Flannel holds warmth by trapping heat in its insulating air pockets. When you’re in bed, these pockets trap your body heat, helping to keep it contained. Essentially, it insulates you while you sleep.
Pajamas
Sometimes, all you need to stay comfortable on a chilly night is a warm set of pajamas. There are a variety of fabrics to choose from to keep you warm and provide a restful sleep. Fleece, flannel, cotton, silk, wool, and thermals are just a few that will keep you warm in cold weather and make it easier for you to get up during the night.
Sleep Tip: If you’re worried about overheating, flannel is the most breathable material among the options mentioned above.
Sleep with Socks
Though it might seem unusual, sleeping with socks offers some surprising benefits. When thinking about wearing socks while sleeping, people often think that their feet might overheat. But it can actually help lower your body’s core temperature, thus helping you get a better night’s sleep.
Not only can using them help you sleep better, but one study found that people who sleep with them on fall asleep faster.
Do you wear socks to bed? 28 percent of people enjoy wearing socks when they go to bed, while 44 percent prefer not to wear them.
Hot Water Bottles
As old-fashioned as it may seem, a hot water bottle remains a reliable way to stay warm. Keeping a plastic container filled with boiling water at the foot of your bed comes with safety risks. Along with the safety risks of this old-fashioned method, the effectiveness of this method is also limited over time.
The heat gradually dissipates as the hot water bottle is exposed to the surrounding environment. But you need not worry about setting your alarm because as soon as the heat subsides, the cold wakes you up!
Sleep Tip: Want to try this method? Leave the hot water bottle under your blanket for about 5 to 10 minutes before you go to bed. It will be nice and warm at this point!
Final Thoughts
Electric blankets can be a safe way to stay warm for many people. However, these blankets must meet current safety standards and include a shut-off feature to prevent overheating or fire. Also, it is important for people to take good care of their electric blankets and make sure they are stored properly to minimize damage.
Doctors may advise some people against electric blankets due to safety risks. This includes people with diabetes or circulatory problems, as well as pregnant women. Although there has been much debate, there is no definitive evidence connecting cancer to the extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields produced by electric blankets.
