Updated January 2025
Electric blankets and heating pads are a true modern convenience. However, because they are designed to create heat from electricity, they are prone to issues that can cause an injury or a fire.
Our Ting Fire Safety Team regularly identifies faulty electric blankets and heating pads – they’re one of the most common Ting-detected electrical fire hazards! The arcing activity in these devices is normally due either to poor component quality (even in newer blankets) or to general wear and age.
Here are a few tips for buying, using, and inspecting your electric blanket to keep you and your family comfortable and safe.
Buy Your Heated Blanket with Care
When purchasing an electric blanket or heating pad, safety should be your top priority—choosing a high-quality product with the right features can make all the difference in ensuring warmth without worry.
- Do your research – seek out legitimate online reviews by reputable outfits.
- Only purchase electric blankets certified by nationally recognized testing agencies such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories).
- Most people don’t ‘register’ their blanket purchase with the manufacturer; if this is the case for your purchase, be sure to periodically check online for any safety recalls.
A Note on Warming Devices for Pets
Electronics for pets – particularly heating products – have been a notable source of dangerous electrical arcing detected by Ting. In fact, Ting has detected 100+ fire hazards related to heated pet products over the years! These cases range from heated outdoor shelters for stray cats, heated dog beds, and heating pads for elderly pets. Take special care to purchase from safety-tested brands and follow instructions on safe usage with animals.
Power Your Heated Blanket Properly
Once you’ve purchased the right blanket or heating pad, proper use is key to staying safe and warm.
- If your blanket feels damp or has been exposed to liquids, don’t plug it in.
- Always plug the cord directly into a wall outlet.
- Don’t plug into an extension cord, power strip, or outlet extender.
- Don’t overload the outlet – avoid plugging into an outlet already taxed with other devices.
- Do not use more than one electric blanket at a time.
Use Your Heated Blanket Carefully
To ensure the safe and effective use of your electric blanket, it’s essential to follow proper usage, maintenance, and storage practices.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on usage, cleaning, and storing your electric blanket.
- Never leave your electric blanket plugged in unattended.
- Don’t leave it plugged in for extended periods or overnight1 – utilize a timer if your blanket has one.
- Try to keep the blanket flat when in use; avoid folding it, rolling it up, or otherwise ‘balling’ it up while in use.
- Avoid “smothering” your blanket under pillows, cushions, and mattresses; avoid placing items on top of the blanket. Don’t sit or lay on it, as it can damage the internal heating coils.
- Take extra care if your bed can elevate or be adjusted. The blanket or cord could be caught or bunched up by accident when operating the bed.
- When you are finished using it, it is always best to store your blanket flat, and if you can’t, gently roll it up; don’t fold it, as this can damage the internal heating coil.
Inspect Your Heated Blanket Often
Catching signs of wear, damage, or potential malfunctions early can help prevent accidents and extend the life of your blanket or heating pad.
- Give your blanket a quick but thorough check before each use. Normal wear and tear can cause wiring and other components to become less flexible, fray, break, or otherwise damaged and susceptible to malfunction.
- Regularly check the cord where it connects to the blanket and to the controller for compromised insulation or for loose connections.
- Periodically check for “hot spots” where one section of the blanket feels much hotter than others. Heat should be evenly distributed across the blanket.
- Beware of a burnt smell or discoloration such as yellowing. While rare, mistakes during manufacturing or assembly can be missed during quality inspections.
Replace Your Heated Blanket When It’s Time
If your electric blanket is aging or showing signs of wear, it’s best to replace it.
- Older blankets may lack modern safety technology such as automatic temperature control to shut off if it gets too hot. If you are not sure about the age of an electric blanket, and it looks old, it is likely worth replacing.
- If your heating blanket is older than 10 years, consider replacing it, especially if it has seen a lot of use.
- Replace sooner if there are signs of material stress, discoloration, or odd odors.
- If you learn that it has been recalled, stop using it immediately.
By choosing, using, and maintaining your electric blanket or heating pad responsibly, you can enjoy its cozy warmth with peace of mind. Safety starts with smart practices, so take these tips to heart and stay warm all season long!
We are super passionate about helping to protect our customers. If you have questions, especially if you suspect an electrical risk in your home, please contact us immediately. Ting (the sensor and service) is statistically proven to prevent ~80% of electrical fires, significantly reducing electrical fire risk in homes. Ting alone cannot eliminate 100% of electrical fire risks. Trust your senses. Flickering lights, intermittent lights or devices, frequently tripping breakers, or electrical odors can indicate that an electrical hazard is developing.
- Fire safety and healthcare professionals generally do not recommend using a heating pad or electric blanket overnight for several reasons. To warm your bed, a best practice is to turn your blanket on shortly before going to bed and turn it off after you get into bed. As with any electric heating device it is always better to unplug your blanket or heating pad when it is not in use; however, if this is not practical due to physical limitations, at the very least check to make sure the controller is not left in a spot where it could be turned on by accident (especially during sleep), and always check that the plug is snug in the outlet before using it. ↩︎