Electric blankets are a wintertime comfort item found in millions of American homes — and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that specific use and storage mistakes cause electric blanket fires every year, most of which occur while the owner is asleep and unaware. The mistakes are not obscure — they are the behaviors most users engage in routinely without knowing they create a fire risk.
What Goes Wrong Inside an Electric Blanket
Electric blankets work through a network of thin heating wires woven throughout the fabric. These wires are designed for use only when the blanket is fully and smoothly spread out. When the blanket is folded, bunched, or tucked in at the sides, the wires in the overlapping sections heat each other instead of dissipating heat into the air. This localized heat buildup can melt insulation, damage the wire, and ignite the surrounding fabric.
The same damage can occur during storage. Folding an electric blanket tightly and placing heavy objects on top of it can crimp or damage the internal wires. A blanket stored incorrectly for a season may have damaged wiring that is not visible from the outside but presents a fire hazard the first time it is used.
Safe Use Rules
- Never fold, bunch, or tuck in the sides of an electric blanket while it is in use.
- Never place additional blankets, comforters, or pillows on top of an operating electric blanket.
- Never use an electric blanket for a child, an elderly person, or anyone with reduced sensation who may not notice if the blanket becomes too hot.
- Never fall asleep with an electric blanket turned on at full heat. Use a timer or turn the blanket off before sleeping.
- Never use an electric blanket with a damaged cord, a scorched spot, or a malfunctioning temperature control.
- Store electric blankets loosely rolled — never tightly folded. Do not store them under heavy items.
- Replace any electric blanket that is more than 10 years old.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/Electric-Blankets
