6 Reasons Why You Should Never Put Blanket Over Electric Blanket

Electric blankets feel cozy and keep you warm during cold nights, but adding another blanket on top can be dangerous. 

Many people don’t realize that layering can cause overheating, burns, or even fires. In this article, we’ll explore six important reasons to never cover your electric blanket and how to use it safely every night.

• Avoid Extra Layers: Never put a heavy blanket over an electric blanket to prevent overheating and fire hazards.
  
  

• Use Certified Products: Choose electric blankets with UL, ETL, or CE certifications for safer use.
  
  

• Keep Heat Low: Stick to low or medium settings to maintain warmth without risking burns or hot spots.
  
  

• Inspect Regularly: Check cords, plugs, and fabric for damage to avoid electrical fires.
  
  

• Turn Off When Not in Use: Always unplug your electric blanket to protect yourself, children, pets, and your home.

• Fire Hazard: Putting another blanket on top can cause the electric blanket to catch fire.
  
  

• Overheating Risk: Extra layers trap heat, leading to dangerous overheating.
  
  

• Wire Damage: Heavy blankets may crush or damage the internal wires.
  
  

• Reduced Efficiency: Covering it makes the blanket work harder and less effective.
  
  

• Shorter Lifespan: Too much heat and pressure can wear out the blanket faster.
  
  

• Burn Danger: Children and pets can get seriously burned if the blanket overheats.

Electric blankets are a cozy and energy-efficient way to stay warm. Unlike space heaters that can draw up to 1500 watts, most electric blankets operate between 50 and 200 watts, providing heat directly to your bed rather than warming the entire room. 

This focused warmth means you can lower your thermostat at night and reduce energy bills. The Sleep Foundation notes that a 100-watt blanket running for eight hours uses just 0.8 kWh of electricity, roughly $0.10 per night in the U.S. making it an affordable winter solution. 

Safety is another key consideration: in the U.S., electric blankets must meet UL964 standards, which include tests for leakage current, high voltage resistance, and temperature regulation, while in Europe, the CE mark ensures compliance with EU safety rules. 

Regarding health, research by NIHPA involving over 89,000 women found no association between electric blanket use and thyroid cancer, even over long periods. 

Overall, electric blankets provide a safe, reliable, and budget-friendly way to stay warm without dramatically increasing energy costs.

Using an electric blanket safely means paying attention to how it’s used. UL Solution warns that folding a blanket while it’s on can damage the wires inside, creating a risk of overheating or sparks. 

They also recommend not placing other bedding or a heating pad on top, since trapped heat can lead to burns. 

Certain beds, like sofa beds, pullouts, or adjustable beds, are also risky because the wires may get pinched or frayed. 

Adding heavy blankets or duvets on top increases the chance of overheating and fire even further. 

The Electrical Safety Foundation International highlights that heating pads and electric blankets cause roughly 500 fires every year, most of which involve blankets over ten years old. 

To protect yourself and your home, always use your electric blanket on a flat surface, never cover it while it’s on, and unplug it when you’re done. Following these simple precautions can prevent accidents and give you warmth without worry.

When choosing an electric blanket, always look for recognized safety certifications like UL, ETL, or CE. 

Certified blankets go through thorough testing, including leakage current, voltage withstand, and temperature rise checks, ensuring heating elements are fully protected and the blanket is safe to use. 

UL964-certified blankets follow strict U.S. safety standards, while CE-marked products meet European directives, reducing hazards and compliance issues. 

Blankets without certification can be much riskier. Research from Nottinghamshire County Council found that nearly 70% of electric blankets tested were unsafe, with some being over 40 years old, showing the dangers of old or uncertified products. 

Consumer safety groups advise only purchasing blankets with proper certification, clear instructions, safety labels, and warnings. 

Choosing certified electric blankets lowers the risk of fire or electric shock and allows you to safely layer additional bedding for cozy warmth.

Extra blankets over an electric blanket are unsafe. Thick bedding traps heat, preventing the blanket from releasing it. 

This can cause overheating, damage the wires, and increase the risk of fire. To stay safe, use only a light sheet or cover so the blanket can release heat properly.

Using the highest heat setting on an electric blanket is unsafe. Low or medium settings provide steady warmth without overheating. 

Sleeping on high heat can cause restlessness, hot spots, or burns. A safer approach is to preheat the bed, then lower the setting before sleeping, or turn the blanket off once you’re warm.

Electric blankets are perfect for keeping warm, but they can be a fire hazard if not handled properly. 

The Electrical Safety Foundation International reports that heating pads and electric blankets are linked to around 500 household fires each year, most caused by faulty cords or plugs. 

To stay safe, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, inspect your blanket regularly, and use it as intended, over-blankets go above the sleeper, under-blankets below. 

Watch for warning signs like frayed or exposed wires, cracked or brittle insulation, corrosion, rust, or burn marks, which can all increase the risk of shocks or fires. 

Replace damaged wires, make sure the plug has the correct fuse, and contact a licensed electrician if you notice overheating or burn marks. 

By taking these precautions, as advised by the Electrical Safety Foundation International, you can enjoy the warmth of your electric blanket safely and protect your home from potential hazards.

Leaving an electric blanket on when not in use is unsafe. Unsupervised use can cause the wiring to overheat and increase fire risk. 

Children or pets climbing onto a heated blanket also raises the danger. To stay safe, always turn off and unplug the blanket when you get out of bed. If it lacks an auto shut-off feature, be especially careful.

• Layer Clothing: Wear multiple layers to trap heat and keep your body warm.
  
  

• Heat Your Room: Use a heater or safe heating source to maintain a comfortable temperature.
  
  

• Heated Bedding: Try electric blankets, heated mattress pads, or hot water bottles for extra warmth.
  
  

• Warm Sheets: Switch to fleece, flannel, or wool sheets that hold heat better than cotton.
  
  

• Share Body Heat: Cuddle with pets or a partner to naturally stay warmer.
  
  

• Warm Drinks: Sip tea, cocoa, or other hot beverages to raise your body temperature.
  
  

• Light Exercise: Do gentle stretches or movement before bed to generate heat.

Keeping your electric blanket safe and long-lasting requires regular inspection and careful storage. 

Experts and manufacturer guidelines, including UL and CE standards, suggest checking for signs of wear such as frayed fabric, scorch marks, exposed wires, damaged cords, or unusual smells and buzzing from the control unit before each use. 

Research from consumer safety organizations shows that many fires involve blankets over ten years old or those that have not been properly maintained. 

Improper storage, like folding tightly or crumpling the blanket, can damage internal wires, while heavy bedding, memory foam mattresses, or pets can increase overheating risks. 

Best practices from safety authorities recommend rolling blankets loosely instead of folding, storing them flat when possible, keeping them in cool, dry spaces inside breathable bags, and storing controls separately. 

Avoid placing heavy items on top and keep pets away. Always ensure the blanket is completely dry before storage and inspect it regularly. 

Replacing blankets older than ten years or showing any damage is strongly advised to prevent hazards.

You should never put a heavy or thick blanket over an electric blanket, as it can trap heat, damage wiring, cause burns, or start fires. 

Only light, breathable layers like thin cotton or fleece are safe. Always inspect for damage, use certified blankets, keep heat low, and unplug when not in use. Avoid use with children, pets, or weighted blankets to ensure safety.

When it comes to using an electric blanket, picking the right layers is key for both comfort and safety. 

Experts and manufacturers alike suggest placing only thin, breathable materials on top, such as lightweight cotton or linen sheets, thin wool or wool-blend throws, or light fleece or microfiber blankets, always double-checking the user manual first. 

Bulky blankets, thick quilts, memory foam, or down should be avoided, as they can trap heat and interfere with the blanket’s internal wiring and heat sensors. 

Safety authorities like UL test electric blankets to ensure proper heat management, but the final instructions from the manufacturer take priority. 

The weight and thickness of your fabrics matter, too: heavier layers may insulate too much, causing hot spots, while lighter, breathable layers let heat disperse evenly. 

For extra warmth without risk, try placing the electric blanket on top of lightweight sheets, use a heated mattress pad, or pre-warm your bed before getting in. Always inspect your blanket for damage and lay it flat to keep it working safely and efficiently.

Putting a blanket over an electric blanket is unsafe because it traps heat, restricts ventilation, and increases the risk of overheating, burns, or fire. 

Electric blankets should always be the top layer, used with lightweight sheets, regularly inspected for damage, and unplugged when not in use.

Electric blankets are unsafe for infants, elderly, children, and pets due to burn, fire, and shock risks. 

Children require constant supervision and infants should never use them. Pets may chew wires, creating hazards. 

Safer alternatives include pet-specific low-voltage blankets, heating pads, space heaters, or hot water bottles.

Automatic shut-off and timer features make electric blankets safer by preventing overheating, fires, and burns. 

Shut-off mechanisms stop power after set hours or when hot spots are detected, while timers let users control usage duration, reducing overnight risks, accidental misuse, wiring hazards, and prolonged heat exposure.

To safely clean and store an electric blanket, always unplug it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Spot clean with mild detergent, or machine wash gently if allowed. Air-dry flat, avoid wringing or ironing, store loosely in a breathable bag, and inspect for damage before reuse.

No, you should not. Doing so risks overheating and damaging the wires. Instead, use an electric mattress pad under your bedding with a weighted blanket on top. 

Precautions: keep heat low, check often, and follow instructions. Benefits: better warmth, comfort, and deeper sleep.

Yes, you can. A light blanket adds warmth, comfort, and saves energy. Always use breathable, lightweight fabrics to avoid overheating, burns, or fire risk. 

Check regularly for hot spots, keep the blanket flat, and follow instructions. Similar benefits: better sleep, energy savings, cozy comfort.