What is the average life of an electric blanket?

Author: Minnie

May. 06, 2024

Electric blanket safety - At home - Keeping You Safe

Always follow manufacturers' instructions for using your blanket. This will help you use and store it safely and prolong the life of your blanket. Store it flat or rolled and do not store other objects on top of it.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website how long electric blanket last.

  • ​Electric Blankets should be replaced every 10 years and tested every 2 years by a qualified electrician.

  • ​Always check your blanket for scorch marks, water damage, mould or exposed wires. If you see any of these on your blanket do not use it, replace it.

  • ​Never use a hot water bottle or drink fluids in bed when you have your electric blanket fitted to it. If you spill you drink or the water bottle leaks you will be mixing water and electricity.

Do not fold electric blankets.

Protect the wiring inside them by storing them flat or rolled up.

Do not leave an electric blanket switched on all night.

Electric blankets should carry the British Standard Kitemark and the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) symbol on them. 

The Danger signs - what to look for

​​​Plugs or sockets that are hot to the touch

When to Replace Your Electric Blanket

When to Replace Your Electric Blanket

by

There is nothing quite like snuggling down under your electric blanket on a cold winter night and a good quality one will last for years but they won’t last forever. The life of your electric blanket will be influenced by how well you care for it (and choosing a great brand in the first place) but even the best-loved blankets will need replacing at some point. It is therefore really important to recognise the signs that yours has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacing as performance, safety, and hygiene could all potentially be compromised with continued use.

Check your electric blanket regularly and if you spot any of the following signs it’s a good time to think about replacing:

Fabric condition

Take a good look over the fabric of the blanket. It is the fabric that absorbs the heat from the wire element and distributes it. It also protects you from burns so it must remain in good condition. All fabric will deteriorate with time and usage so if the material is starting to go thin, fray or has any holes then you need to stop using it.

Scorch marks

When checking the condition of the fabric, another key thing to look out for is any evidence of scorches or discolouration. This should ring warning bells as it’s a clear sign that the blanket is overheating. Good quality electric blankets are fitted with overheat protection so this shouldn’t happen but cheaper or older blankets can be at risk so be aware. Never use an electric blanket that has scorch marks.

Check the power cord

While the blanket itself doesn’t contain any electrical components other than its heating element, remember that it is still an electrical item and that things can go wrong. The section of your electric blanket to pay attention to in this regard is the power cord and controller. If it starts to make a buzzing noise or smells like burning then this means there is a problem. You should also check for signs of damage to the cord itself such as splits or strains. It may be possible to just replace the power cord, especially if the blanket isn’t that old, but it’s often a better idea to replace the whole item as it keeps all elements of the product in sync.

Incorrect storage

Because of the way that electric blankets are designed, they need to be stored in a certain way when not in use to prevent them from incurring damage. This means rolling them rather than folding them. The heated wire inside is shaped in a certain way to distribute heat evenly over the whole area of the blanket. Folding the blanket can bend this wire out of shape and damage the protective coating. If this happens you can expect at best that the heat won’t be distributed properly but at worst it could become unsafe. Do a visual check over the surface for any creases that indicate it may have been folded and feel it for any bumps in the wire. If you’re not confident it has been rolled correctly, discard it.

Note the age

I’m afraid age has an impact on all of us and your electric blanket is no exception! Even if everything looks OK and you’ve done all the checks above, if it’s over 10 years old the advice from the fire service is to replace it. In addition to the safety implications, there are hygiene considerations with a blanket of this age and just as you should replace your mattress periodically, so should you replace your electric blanket. Keep a note of when you bought your blanket and if it reaches the grand old age of 10, its time to say goodbye and get a new one (check here for a great selection when choosing a replacement).

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