Electric Blankets

[mark_wpduet]

While looking for reviews on electric blankets, I came across this video of electric blanket safety on 20/20.....

I have two electric blankets. One on the bed and one in the living room to wrap around me when I'm cold.

It's as if they are saying that if you OWN an electric blanket, it's definitely a Sunbeam.

I've always LOVED using them but paranoid about them catching on fire, and now even MORE so after watching this video.

Does sunbeam manufacture electric blankets for ALL companies? Just wondering

My electric blankets both say Biddeford and are made in CHINA.......I should have known! I currently have a Chinese electric blanket wrapped around me as I type this, unfortunately.

 

[whirlcool]

We've had electric blankets for years now. They seem to last about three years before they stop working, usually after being washed. We wash ours twice per season according to the directions on the blanket.

The last two blankets we have bought, both Sunbeams don't seem to get as warm as they used to. The key is that Sunbeam now calls these "Warming Blankets" instead of Electric Blankets. The hottest setting on these is about the equivalent of a "2" setting on an older blanket. Just barely enough to keep us warm.

We use ours mainly to preheat the bed before getting into it at night. And these new blankets barely do that. Last spring we purchased an older, never used Sunbeam electric blanket on Ebay. We are looking forward to using it this winter. We paid just about what one of the new blankets would cost.

And BTW, GE used to make electric blankets too. There is an advert in the Modern Living thread for one.

 

[danemodsandy]

Not Me, Buddy!

I still remember -

I bought an electric blanket new back in the early '70s. It was fine for a couple of years, and the use and care instructions were always followed to the letter.

One Sunday morning, I woke up, turned over, and heard a sparking noise, followed by an "electrical" smell. I then saw a thin, small wisp of smoke coming from the blanket. Nothing caught fire, but thank GOD I was awake.

Obviously, a wire had broken. I still shudder when I think of the close call.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I was scared by the stories of the dangers of sleeping under the electical field produced by the current flowing through the wires, so I would only use it to preheat the bed, but eventually I moved and had a warmer bedroom.

We had some blue electric blankets in the 60s and the repair station, not that we ever needed repairs, was someplace in Mississippi.

 

[norgeway]

I have a GE

That was bought in the early 60s and it still works just fine, I grew up with an electric blanket!

 

[sudsmaster]

I even had an electric mattress pad, along with a collection of electric blankets. I found them all barely adequate to preheat the bed. And all the controls make a clicking noise as they cycle the heating elements on and off, which bugged the bejeezus out of me so I'd wind up turning off the blankets before I got into bed. And if I left them on, usually I'd wind up feeling very overheated in the middle of the night. Eventually I just yanked the electrics and put them in storage.

Although my bedroom is a few degrees cooler than the rest of the house (further from the furnace), I find PJ's (or sweats) and comforters are just as good if not better than an electric blanket. Cold feet? Wear some socks. I won't tell.

PS-That spark and puff of smoke was probably a fusable link self-destructing to prevent a larger short and fire. Sounds like it did its job.

 

[DirectDriveDave]

I learned about fire safety long ago. Cant remember how old I was, but I was in early elementary school. Even then I didn't like the ideas of these, as we were told about heat and cloth surfaces, like curtains and such. I'm sure many have had these without incident, but the idea of something electrical going through some cloth material just rubbed me the wrong way. 

 

[firedome]

Electric blankets...

DO catch on fire, we had one that did around 1985, and it actually had flames erupt before we put it out by quickly rolling it up in a ball. We saved it thinking we should see a lawyer, never did, but still have it to this day in a bag...every time I see it I think how lucky we were, and would NEVER use one again.

 

[frigilux]

I used electric blankets for years, but grew wary of fire issues and having that electromagnetic field so close to the whole body. Haven't used one for at least five years.

 

[danemodsandy]

Rich:

"That spark and puff of smoke was probably a fusable link self-destructing to prevent a larger short and fire. Sounds like it did its job."

Maybe so, but the experience damn near turned me back into a bed-wetter for a moment there.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I think (from what I gather)

that these are not only safer as far as fire risk goes, but also EMF, since it's LOW voltage... I might pick a couple of these up.........they have good reviews and I do not think they are made by Sunbeam........but even if they are, they are low voltage.

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[foraloysius]

I've used electric mattress pads for quite a while because there was an outdoor space under my bedroom. Because I often sleep with one arm under the pillow that arm was darn cold in the morning because there is no heat under the pillow. I changed to a water bed and am very happy with that!

 

[washman]

I use a bed warmer

Electrowarmth, made in Ohio. Very nice and safe to use.

 

[fido]

I think I will stick with the trusty hot water bottle, although I have had burn blisters with those in the past. I try to make sure they are not too hot these days. My house does have cold floors so I do go to bed with cold feet sometimes but I now have an electric foot warmer so it is better to use that in the evening and go to bed with warm feet.

 

[whirlcool]

We tried an electric mattress pad for a season. We didn't like it. The reason was whatever side is in contact with the pad gets too hot and the side facing the room is too cold. But a bed prewarmed with an electric blanket is just fine.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Used and Electric blanket for years. Luckily no mishaps. Now I just have a big ole Tom Cat. On really cold nights we fight over the heating pad.

 

[kb0nes]

Mark, Interesting that they are now low voltage. I'd bet that they are using a solid state inverter to drop the voltage and save the cost of a transformer. One advantage is that I bet they are now either switched electronically or electronically regulated, no more clicking from the control!

As for the EMF, the magnetic field strength is created by current flow, voltage doesn't change the magnetic field at all (it will alter the electrostatic field). But if we are to assume that this blanket is a similar wattage to the older 120 volt blankets then current increases by 5 times. This will also increase the EMF strength by 5 times.

When they say "non-hazardous voltage" they mean its not likely to electrocute you. They aren't discussing field strength issues.

The other thing I'd be curious about is if the heater is now AC or DC, it could be either once a step-down supply is added. Then the question that remains is if an 60hz (or 120hz?) is better or worse then a steady state magnetic field? Next the magnetism quacks will start saying how it cures all ills, or if wrapped around your cars fuel line it increases mileage, or softens your water...

I have only used electric blankets or pads to preheat the bed, I find them too hot to sleep under. I have to admit I'm not concerned about either the EMF or likelihood of fire. I bet there are a lot of other products in my home that are more risky for both.

For those that do worry about arc induced electrical fires, be sure to install some AFCI breakers for peace of mind. They are required by code now for all sleeping quarters in new housing. A little spark like Sandy mentioned trips the breaker right now!

 

[yogitunes]

I used to have two on the bed, one on top and one on the bottom.....and slide in like a slice of cheese....I was freakin toasty.....heck I would freeze in Florida....

then came the waterbed, best invention since the wheel, for many reasons, but nothing like sleeping in warm comfort all night long.....oh yeah!...and then for Summer, keep it on low or unplugged, kept you cool and comfortable all night as well.....I mis this one the most, and thinking of going back!.....Louis, I might be over to visit for a slumber party....lol

now its just one electric blanket I sleep on top of....even the dog looks for the corner of the bed for his warm comfort spot....pampered butt!

 

[foraloysius]

Martin

I can't respond here, Robert would have to move the thread to the dirty laundry forum. ;-)