Snuggling up with an electric blanket keeps you warm at night, but sleeping on something with electricity coursing through it seems a little unsafe to some. While safety regulations and precautions have improved over the years, concern remains about the safety of electric mattress pad

In the late 1980s, inconclusive studies linked electric blankets to cancer. Investigations, safety advancements and warning labels have made them safer over the years, but improper use remains a danger. Electric mattress pad is an effective alternative to an electric blanket. Instead of providing a source of heat above the body, electric mattress pad provides heat under the body. Some people use the electric mattress pad all night long, if they feel exceptionally cold at night. Others use a electric mattress pad simply to warm up the bed before jumping in. In this way, the pad helps one avoid the shock of cold sheets on cold nights.

When partners share a bed, an electric mattress pad may offer dual controls similar to an electric blanket. This way, each partner can adjust the setting for individual comfort. Many find that dual controlled pads resolve sleeping issues when one partner is more susceptible to warmth or to cold.

Following are things precautions to be considered before using an Electric Mattress Pad:

1. Many also find that the heat underneath the body can be helpful for certain conditions like arthritis. However, caution should be employed when a person suffers from a painful condition that may be age related.

2. People using an electric mattress pad or blankets should have sufficient control of their limbs so they can shut off the pad. People who are likely to forget to turn off an electric mattress pad or blanket should also not use one, as the pad may pose a fire danger if left on too long. Proper precautionary measures ensure better utility of Electric mattress pad.

3. Babies should never use either type of electric heating device, as they may be more likely to receive burns! And also, they cannot control the temperature. As well, experts recommend not employing any type of electric pad or blanket on pets.

4. Further, those who suffer from urinary incontinence should not use electric mattress pads or blankets. This encompasses some of the elderly and children who might still have the occasional nighttime accident. Though very unlikely, a slight danger of electrocution exists from an accident in the night while a pad is turned on

On a cold winter night, there’s nothing better than snuggling in a warm bed. One very simple method of having that bed warm and inviting is the use of an Electric Blanket. An Electric Blanket is a blanket with an integrated electrical heating device usually placed above the top bed sheet. Another variation of the Electric Blanket is the electric mattress pad, which is placed below the bottom bed sheet. Electric Blanket usually have a control unit which adjusts the amount of heat the blanket produces. Blankets for larger sized beds often have separate controls for each side of the bed. The Electric Blanket may be used to pre-heat the bed before use or to keep the occupant warm while in bed.

The concept for the Electric Blanket was developed in 1912 by American physician Sidney I. Russell. In the 1920s, the Thermega under blanket was manufactured in Britain. Electric over blankets were introduced in the United States in 1937. In 1970, the Thermega Company brought a blanket heated by the circulation of warm water to the market Modern Electric Blanket has carbon fiber wires. These blankets usually work on 24 volts instead of the 110/240 volts. Therefore, they are advertised as being a safer, more efficient and more comfortable alternative.

Because of the combination of heat, electricity, the abundance of flammable bedding and a sleeping person use of Electric Blankets are important for fire safety officials internationally. Of primary concern are blankets that are older than 10 years and / or have suffered injuries as curling, bending, fraying, or ordinary wear and tear. In Britain it is estimated that 5,000 fires a year are caused by faulty Electric Blankets, of which 99% is believed to be caused by blankets 10 years or older.

Electric Blanket also presents a risk to burn those who can not feel pain or are unable to respond to it. Individuals included in this group are small children, diabetics and the elderly.