Do Electric Blankets Cause Health Problems?

Electric blankets feel cozy on cold nights, but they come with hidden risks you should know. From burns and skin irritation to potential sleep disruption, using them without care can harm your health. 

Some people, like infants, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions, face higher dangers. Keep reading to learn who should avoid them and how to stay safe.

• Infants and Pregnant Women Need Caution: Avoid electric blankets to prevent overheating and potential health risks.
  
  

• Medical Conditions Increase Risk: People with diabetes, poor circulation, or nerve damage should limit use to avoid burns.
  
  

• Sensitive Skin Requires Care: Prolonged exposure can cause dryness, irritation, or worsen conditions like eczema.
  
  

• Elderly and Limited Mobility Users Must Be Careful: Reduced heat perception can lead to burns or overheating.
  
  

• Safety and Maintenance Are Essential: Use certified blankets, avoid old or damaged units, and follow manufacturer guidelines to prevent fire or electrical hazards.

Electric blankets provide warmth but can pose health risks if misused. Infants, pregnant women, diabetics, elderly, and people with sensitive skin or limited mobility face higher dangers, including burns, overheating, sleep disruption, and skin irritation. 

Proper use, low heat, certified blankets, regular checks, and turning off before sleep, reduces risks, while safer alternatives like heated mattress pads or hot water bottles may be preferable for vulnerable individuals.

Infants should never use electric blankets because they are highly vulnerable to overheating. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia notes that babies cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults, their body surface is much larger relative to their weight, making them lose heat quickly. 

Premature or low-birthweight infants are even more sensitive, with less body fat and immature temperature control. 

Overheating can increase a baby’s oxygen use and energy expenditure, which is especially risky for sick or premature newborns. 

Health organizations like the NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advise parents to use safe alternatives, such as swaddling, skin-to-skin contact, radiant warmers, or incubators, instead of electric blankets. 

Although electric blankets have not been directly linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), they can create conditions, like overheating, that raise the risk. 

To keep babies safe, parents should avoid electric blankets, hot water bottles, or any device that could make the sleep environment too warm.

Pregnant women are advised to be careful when using electric blankets. Research highlighted by the National Library of Medicine explored prenatal exposure to these blankets and found that while most women face minimal risk, those with a history of subfertility may have a higher likelihood of certain birth defects, especially if exposure happens during the first trimester. 

Heat is another important factor, electric blankets can raise your core temperature above 101°F, which can be dangerous for a developing baby. 

Health authorities such as the CDC and WHO recommend limiting use to avoid overheating and potential exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). 

Early pregnancy overheating has been linked to miscarriage and birth defects, while EMF research remains inconclusive, though caution is advised. 

If you choose to use an electric blanket, stick to a low setting or use it only to pre-warm your bed. 

Safer ways to stay warm include layering extra blankets, wearing cozy sleepwear, or using a hot water bottle, keeping both you and your baby safe.

People with diabetes or poor circulation should be cautious when using electric blankets. Those with diabetes, especially with diabetic neuropathy, often have reduced sensation in their feet and legs, making it difficult to gauge heat accurately. 

A blanket that feels comfortably warm could actually become dangerously hot, increasing the risk of burns. 

Poor circulation adds another layer of risk, as even minor burns or injuries take longer to heal. 

Medical experts generally advise individuals with these conditions to avoid using electric blankets, since unnoticed overheating can lead to serious complications like infections or ulcers. 

For a safer alternative, it is better to preheat the bed with the blanket and then turn it off before getting in. 

Being aware of these risks helps diabetics and those with poor circulation enjoy warmth safely without putting their health in danger.

For most people with pacemakers or other implanted heart devices, electric blankets are generally safe when used properly. 

Leading manufacturers, such as Medtronic and Boston Scientific, classify them as “no known risk” and provide guidance online to help users confirm compatibility with their specific device. 

Modern pacemakers are designed to withstand common sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI), including cell phones and household appliances. 

However, rare instances of pacemaker malfunctions linked to electric blankets have been documented, with one case discussed in the Kansas Journal of Medicine. 

To reduce risk, heart patients should ensure their blankets are in good condition, avoid frayed cords, and refrain from using high heat settings that could overheat the body and place extra strain on the heart. 

Personalized advice from a cardiologist or pacing clinic is recommended. Regulatory authorities, including the FDA, advise reporting any device-related issues and recommend blankets with safety features like automatic shut-off. 

Taking these precautions allows patients to stay comfortably warm without compromising heart health.

If you have sensitive skin or pre-existing skin conditions, using an electric blanket requires caution. 

Studies show that prolonged exposure to the dry heat these blankets produce can dehydrate your skin, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation. 

For some, it may even worsen rashes or trigger flare-ups in conditions like eczema. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne highlights that heat from sources such as thick blankets, hot baths, and electric blankets can aggravate skin problems in vulnerable individuals. 

Dermatologists also warn against frequent use. Dr. Heather Kornmehl, a Texas-based dermatologist, explains that long-term exposure to low-level heat from electric blankets can cause erythema ab igne, a permanent, patchy skin rash. 

What might feel like cozy comfort during cold weather could result in lasting skin damage. For anyone prone to dryness, itching, or allergic reactions, exploring safer alternatives for staying warm may be the healthier choice over relying on electric blankets.

Older adults are more at risk of burns from electric blankets because aging reduces sensitivity to heat. 

As we age, skin becomes thinner, thermoreceptors decline, and blood flow to the skin slows, making it harder to notice temperature changes. 

Health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, along with certain medications, can further weaken heat perception and circulation. 

Research shows that nearly half of heating pad burn patients treated in emergency rooms are over 65, highlighting the danger. 

Experts recommend that seniors, especially those with limited mobility, dementia, or poor circulation, avoid placing electric blankets directly on their skin. 

Safer ways to stay warm include preheating the bed and turning off the blanket before getting in, or using flannel sheets, down comforters, or a hot water bottle. 

Following these precautions can help older adults stay comfortably warm while reducing the risk of painful burns.

People with limited mobility or a tendency to sleepwalk should be cautious with electric blankets. 

For individuals who cannot easily adjust the blanket or move away from heat, there’s a higher risk of burns. 

Older adults are especially vulnerable, as thinner, more fragile skin can be damaged even by moderate warmth. 

Limited mobility can also increase the chance of bending or damaging the blanket’s internal wiring, potentially causing short circuits or fire. 

Sleepwalkers face similar dangers, as they may unknowingly handle the blanket unsafely while asleep. 

Medical experts and organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, recommend carefully monitoring or avoiding electric blanket use for anyone with reduced temperature awareness or cognitive challenges. 

Staying safe means understanding these risks and considering alternative ways to stay warm without prolonged or uncontrolled exposure to electric heat.

Heated blankets can provide cozy warmth, but they also carry the risk of serious burns if used incorrectly or if they malfunction. 

Notably, major burn from heating blanket malfunction has been documented in hospitals, where patients, particularly children, suffered severe injuries during medical procedures due to overheating. 

The likelihood of burns depends on both temperature and the length of exposure. Low-grade burns, known as erythema ab igne, may develop from prolonged contact with moderate heat (109–117°F), leaving reddish-brown, lace-like patterns on the skin. 

Higher temperatures, above 111°F, can injure deeper skin layers, and exposure to 120–124°F can result in nearly immediate second-degree burns. 

Certain groups, such as infants, the elderly, people with diabetes or neuropathy, and pregnant women, are especially at risk because they may not feel excessive heat. 

To stay safe, it is important to use low heat settings, avoid long exposure, keep blankets flat, use automatic shut-off features, and regularly check for wear or damage. Awareness and caution can help enjoy warmth without injury.

Heated blankets are a cozy way to stay warm, but they carry potential fire and electrical risks, particularly older models. 

According to statistics, heating pads and electric blankets cause around 500 household fires each year, with most incidents involving units over ten years old. 

Modern blankets, however, are much safer thanks to features like automatic shut-off, advanced temperature sensors, and low-voltage designs that reduce the risk of overheating. 

Older blankets often lack these protections and may have frayed wires or internal damage, increasing the chance of fire. 

Experts recommend replacing electric blankets that are more than ten years old, checking them regularly for signs of wear, and following the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. 

Choosing blankets with recognized safety certifications, such as UL or ETL, also ensures they meet established safety standards. 

By using modern, certified blankets carefully, you can stay warm comfortably while minimizing fire and electrical hazards.

Using a heated blanket for too long or on a high setting can lead to overheating, causing dizziness, warmth, or flushed skin. 

This may escalate to heat stress, with symptoms like nausea, sweating, and headaches. Prolonged exposure can also lead to dehydration as your body sweats to cool down. 

Sensitive individuals, like those with heart conditions or poor circulation, may be more prone to heat exhaustion. 

In extreme cases, it can cause skin irritation or burns. It's important to adjust the blanket if you start feeling too hot.

Heated blankets may feel comforting, but they can interfere with the body’s natural cooling process during sleep. 

At night, the body normally lowers its temperature to support deep, restorative sleep, yet staying too warm can disrupt this rhythm. 

A study published in Physiology & Behavior in December 2017 found that mattresses designed to promote heat loss helped the body cool more effectively, boosting slow-wave sleep and enhancing perceived sleep quality. 

In contrast, external heat sources such as heated blankets can increase nighttime awakenings and reduce both slow-wave and REM sleep. 

Research from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology further emphasizes that heat exposure, especially when combined with bedding and clothing, can alter sleep stages and disturb thermoregulation, resulting in lighter, less restorative sleep. 

While cozy, heated blankets may unintentionally interrupt natural sleep patterns, preventing the body from fully recharging overnight.

Heated blankets can be risky for people with certain medical conditions, especially those with diabetes or nerve damage. 

Diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy, a condition where nerve damage reduces sensation in the feet, legs, or other extremities. 

This can make it difficult to notice when a heated blanket becomes too hot. Similarly, individuals with neuropathy or other nerve issues may not feel excessive heat, increasing the risk of burns or overheating. 

To stay safe, experts recommend using the blanket on a lower setting, choosing models with automatic shut-off features, and regularly checking the skin for irritation. 

By being aware of these risks and taking simple precautions, people with medical concerns can still enjoy the comfort and warmth of a heated blanket without compromising their health.

Interference with medical devices occurs when electronic devices or electromagnetic fields disrupt their function, risking malfunction or injury. 

Sources include cell phones, magnets, MRI/CT scanners, and Wi-Fi networks. Prevention involves maintaining safe distances, following manufacturer guidelines, monitoring environments, and consulting physicians if interference is suspected.

Heated blankets can pose hidden dangers if they wear out or develop faults over time. Safety tests reveal that many blankets may be unsafe, with common issues including broken controllers, frayed power cords, and inadequate overheat protection. 

For example, Cumbria County Council tested 761 electric blankets and found that 50.7% were hazardous. 

A nationwide inspection of 1,194 blankets discovered that 73% had damaged or faulty parts, while earlier tests in 2010 showed a similar failure rate of around 60%. 

To reduce risks, manufacturers and safety authorities recommend replacing blankets according to their guidelines, usually every seven years, or immediately if the blanket is damaged or has been used to extinguish a fire. 

Regular inspections and timely replacements help you stay warm without compromising your safety.

Electric blankets can make chilly nights much more comfortable, but safety should always come first. 

Always choose blankets that are approved by nationally recognized testing agencies, such as UL, which confirms they’ve passed independent safety checks. 

Secondhand blankets should be avoided, as their condition and reliability cannot be guaranteed. 

The ACCC Product Safety team highlights that NSW Fire and Rescue records an average of 20 electric blanket-related fires each year, and over 400,000 unsafe blankets have been recalled since 2010, including popular models like ALDI Lumina, Kmart Homemaker, and Sunbeam Heritage. 

Health-wise, long-term use can carry risks for those with heart issues, poor circulation, or nerve sensitivity, including overheating, disrupted sleep, or EMF exposure. 

To stay safe, use the lowest heat setting, limit the time the blanket is on, and check it regularly for damage. 

For people with health concerns, safer alternatives like hot water bottles, heated mattress pads, or high-quality wool blankets are worth considering.

Electric blankets do not directly cause headaches, but they can contribute indirectly. Overheating may disrupt sleep, and combined with dry indoor air, they can irritate nasal and throat passages. 

Proper use, moderate temperature, and quality blankets with safety features minimize risks and support restful sleep.

Electric blankets can aggravate eczema by triggering heat sensitivity, drying out the skin, and causing irritation. 

Prolonged exposure may also lead to toasted skin syndrome, mimicking eczema symptoms like redness, scaling, and burning. To minimize flare-ups, avoid overheating, use lower settings, and stay moisturized.

Electric blankets can cause skin issues like erythema ab igne (toasted skin syndrome) and heat rash due to prolonged low-level heat exposure. 

To prevent this, limit blanket use, moisturize regularly, and consult a dermatologist if you notice skin changes or discomfort.

There is no evidence that electric blankets harm the kidneys. They generate heat, which can improve blood flow and nutrient delivery to the kidneys. 

However, excessive or prolonged use may be harmful, so it is important to follow manufacturer guidelines and consult a healthcare professional if concerned.