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Electric blankets are often used to save on heating bills
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BLANKET SAFETY
Dear HIW, I have been using my new electric blanket, but it seems dangerous. How do the electrical wires heat up a flammable blanket without becoming a fire hazard? Isobel Healey
Wrapping yourself up in electricity may sound like a risky warming method, but modern electric blankets include automatic safety technology and undergo thorough testing to keep the chance of fires or burns minimal. They have sensors called rheostats installed that track the temperature of the blanket and the user’s body. When the temperature reaches the upper end of the safe limit, the blanket will change to a lower heat setting or turn off completely. Around 99 per cent of electric blanket fire incidents are caused by old blankets that were made ten or more years ago.