The 5 most frequent safety questions we are asked about heated blankets and heated mattress pads: Can anyone use electric bedding? Is it OK to use an electric blanket during pregnancy? Can I use an electric blanket if I have a pacemaker? Why can’t diabetics use electric blankets? What’s the worry about EMF’s (Electromagnetic Frequency Waves)? Who Should NOT Use Electric Blankets or Mattress Pads? Just as with any electrical appliance, things do occasionally go wrong with electric bedding. For example, a control may not work properly, a blanket may become bunched up which might cause an overheated condition or a heater wire might break. Therefore, it is foolish to allow infants or small children to use these products. Likewise for the same reasons, anyone who is helpless, paralyzed, insensitive to heat or incapable of understanding the control’s operation should never be allowed to use these appliances. Some elderly people with one or more of these conditions sometimes insist on having their electric blanket.
Be strong and refuse them. Show “tough love” or you may regret it. Is It Safe to Use an Electric Blanket during Pregnancy? Medical websites differ about the use of electric bedding during pregnancy. Some say: “Absolutely no problem”. Some say: “Never use”. Many say: “Ask your doctor”. We always tell people that in the absence of conclusive proof about EMF’s and to avoid possible overheating of the fetus, it’s better to err on the side of caution and forgo the heated bedding for nine months. Of course, during your pregnancy, you could still use automatic bedding products to pre-warm those icy sheets and then turn it off prior to getting into bed. Can I Use an Electric Blanket with my Artificial Pacemaker? Numerous well-known associations, hospitals and doctors advise that electric blankets have not been shown to damage pacemakers or interfere with their functions (see The American Heart Association and the Mayo Clinic statements). Although we personally have never heard of any pacemaker problems due to electric bedding, we always recommend that the individual should check with his or her doctor AND the manufacturer of the pacemaker (e.g. Medtronic, St Jude Medical, etc).
Why Can’t Diabetics Use Electric Blankets? You frequently see warnings that people with diabetes should not use electric blankets or pads. The reason for this goes back to the warning about insensitivity to heat. Diabetics often lose some feeling in their legs or arms and could sustain a burn if they cannot feel that a blanket or pad has become too warm. Of course, if the diabetic wishes only to pre-warm the bedding and then turn off the electric blanket or electric mattress pad when getting into bed, this restriction would not apply. What’s the Science about Electric Blanket EMF’S (60 Hz Electromagnetic Fields)? In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, some scientists and others began to be concerned over the safety of electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) due to AC electricity. Various studies in that timeframe had raised concerns over the possibility that the EMF’s generated by power companies’ overhead transmission lines and some appliances could cause cancer or other problems especially in children.
The United States government became involved and studied over 500 peer-reviewed papers written on this potential problem. The US National Research Council spent around 65 million dollars and finally stated that there was no conclusive evidence that residential EMF’s play any role in the development of cancer, in reproductive issues or in learning/behavioral issues. Nevertheless, Sunbeam, which at that time was the only major United States manufacturer of electric blankets, altered the design of its products to reduce EMF’s. All blankets produced after 1992 have much weaker electrical fields than their predecessors. The argument over EMF’s has never gone away completely although very few scientists or medical experts continue to believe that they can cause problems. If you have any concerns about electromagnetic fields caused by AC electricity, you may feel safer with the SoftHeat Low Voltage heated blankets or mattress pads. Their power supply converts the wall outlet 120 volt AC into either 16 or 18 volt DC.
You can learn about their low voltage products in our blanket or pad review sections. If you still have concerns but want to experience the benefits of a warming mattress pad, you may wish to look into the ChiliPad™ which has NO electricity in the pad itself. Instead it circulates water through silicone tubes and will heat or cool that water. They are expensive but the company says that they rapidly pay for themselves in energy savings both in winter and in summer. Things You MUSTKnow When Buying Electric Bedding. Carries ALL MODELS of the Award WinningSAFEST Heated Blankets andMattress Pads fromSoftHeat Low VoltageUL Says: SoftHeat'sSafe & Warm TMtechnology uses"Non-Hazardous Class2 Low Voltage" 1. Before You Buy – A MUST Review: the Lead Page of the Buyer's Guide offering: Major considerations before your purchase; Links to all of our Reviews and Ratings sections 2. Ready to Buy? If you want to see a list of retailers carrying each of the major brands of Heated MATTRESS PADS this year, click Heated Mattress Pad Retailers OR for Heated BLANKETS, click Stores Selling Electric Blankets.
The Electric Blanket Institute’s Consumer Guide and Blog text is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike 3.0 United States License. For any reuse or distribution you must make clear to others the license terms of this work. The best way to do this is with a link to this web page. This information has been developed over many years of testing and is presented freely for educational use only and without any warranty of any kind. It is not a substitute for the safe usage practices of your individual product. See our Policies Page for other information including advertising and affiliate linkage. Sorry, all information presented applies only to products sold in the United States. We cannot help with other products.Expert ReviewedHow to Keep a Baby Warm in a Crib Two Parts:Setting up the Nursery to Keep Your Baby Warm and SafeKeeping Baby Warm and Safe in the CribCommunity Q&A Keeping your infant warm and comfortable while she sleeps is vital but there are certain factors you need to consider to also keep her safe.
Sleeping surface, body temperature, and sleeping position have all been linked with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Thus, it is important to be knowledgeable about the best sleeping practices, including keeping your infant warm, to decrease the risk of SIDS. Alter the temperature of the room. Your baby’s nursery should be a comfortable and safe place to rest. You can help your baby rest well by setting the nursery’s temperature to support a restful, healthy environment. It is recommended that your baby’s nursery should be maintained at a temperature of 68-72 °F (°20-22.2 °C) in order to keep it safe and comfortable. Position your baby's crib in an ideal location. The position of your baby’s crib in the nursery affects how much heat your baby experiences. Keep in mind the different factors that affect the temperature in his room when you are placing furniture in his nursery. Your baby’s crib should be several feet away from drafty windows, air vents, fans and heaters so that he is not directly bathing in the cool or hot air.
Keep your baby away from drafty windows especially if there are curtain cords that might blow in the wind. These cords pose a potential strangulation hazard to your baby. Choose a certified crib. You should only use a certified crib that does not pose hazards to your baby. The bars should not be too narrow or wide so that any of the infant’s body parts get stuck, and there should be no dangling objects that might pose a strangulation or choking hazards. Look for a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) when choosing a crib and only purchase used cribs that come with this certificate. According to the new regulations, cribs sold at stores after 2011 must comply with the new federal crib safety standards. The crib should also be stable with a firm sleeping surface that supports back sleeping. Your baby can sleep in a crib in your room, but should not co-sleep in a bed or chair with you or another person, as this increases your baby’s risk of smothering and overheating.
Use a firm mattress. Your baby should sleep on a firm crib mattress that is not too plush. Mattresses made of too soft material can present a smothering hazard. A firm mattress supports back sleeping, which has been linked to decreased risk of SIDS. Your infant may choose to sleep on her stomach after she learns to roll over at six months. Keep your baby warm on her firm mattress by using a tight, fitted flannel sheet. The sheet should not bunch up, as it could cover your baby’s nose and mouth and increase their risk of suffocation. Preheat the crib with a hot water bottle or heating pad. You may want to preheat the crib if it is very cold in the house. The best thing you can do is make the nursery warm enough so that your baby can comfortably sleep in lightweight pajamas without heavy blankets. Place a hot water bottle or electric blanket in the baby’s crib for a small amount of time before he goes down to sleep. Make sure that you remove it before you place him in the crib to prevent overheating and burns.
Do not leave an electric blanket in your baby’s crib. This can cause him to overheat. Young infants are unable to regulate their own baby temperature, so you must be very careful. You should not use loose blankets in the crib at all to reduce the risk of SIDS. Dress your infant in pajamas. Your baby’s pajamas should support warm and comfortable sleep, while being safe. Make sure that you are not dressing your infant too warmly, especially if the room temperature is elevated. Dress your baby in lightweight pajamas that cover most of her body if you are worried about keeping her cozy. These are sometimes known as “onesies.” According to the SIDS prevention guidelines, a baby should ideally not be dressed in more than one layer, or no more layers than an adult in a similar environment. If you will swaddle your baby, only use a thin onesie to prevent overheating.Swaddling helps your baby maintain body heat and allows her to sleep comfortably on her back. You can purchase a swaddling blanket with easy-to-use closures or use a square light-weight blanket to make your own swaddle.
Diagonally fold a square lightweight blanket into a triangle shape. Lay the baby in the middle of the triangle with her feet toward the bottom point. Pull one side of the blanket over the baby’s chest. You may choose to leave your baby’s arm free to suck on their fingers. Flip the bottom point over the baby’s feet up toward the chest. Bring the last corner up over the baby’s chest, wrapping it securely but not too tight. Set your baby in the crib in supine position. Sleeping position is a factor that increases the risk of SIDS. Placing your baby in supine position (on his back) is considered the best and safest sleeping position. Avoid putting your baby to sleep on his stomach or side. Putting your baby to sleep on his stomach or side increases his risk of choking or suffocating on his clothing and bedding. Keep the baby's crib clean and clear of clutter. A clear crib is a safe crib. Do not use blankets and other loose materials in the crib that may cause suffocation.
You can keep your baby warm with a lightweight blanket that is tucked into the foot of their mattress and reaches no further than her armpits. Soft toys and loose blankets present smothering hazards for your baby and increase your baby’s risk of SIDS. Your baby should not sleep with a pillow. If your baby turns her head in her sleep, she could smother on the loose edges of the pillow or pillowcase. Keep your baby from overheating. Your baby can become dehydrated if he overheats and sweats too much. Overheating has also been linked with increased risk of SIDS. Some cases of SIDS have been linked to infants overheating. Make sure you keep an eye on your baby’s temperature to make sure it does not get higher than 100 °F (37.7 °C). Regulate the temperature in your baby’s nursery and monitor your baby for signs of overheating, such as sweat on his chest or in his hairline. Do not cover your baby’s face with a blanket or over-bundle your baby. The baby should be clothed or wrapped in no more than one layer than adults are wearing in the same temperatures.