The 5 most frequent safety questions we are asked about heated blankets and heated 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. 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. 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). 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.
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."How can this product be listed as 'Not waterproof' and 'Machine washable for easy care'?" In other words you spill liquid on it the product the product will absorb it.......it is not "waterproof".......so you dry it........same applies to "machine washable"........ machine wash and dry on gentle cycles.......have washed and dryer mine twice......all goood.....:0)
This product is not waterproof. It is cotton and polyester. It can be washed in the washer. Waterproof means fluids cannot penetrate the material. Machine washable means when you get it wet washing it you can dry it and it it still safe. "What is the voltage range of the heating blanket. (100-220v) or is it for U.S. voltages only?" This is manufactured for the US market. "Can it be used with a mattress protector cover? All of our beds have mattress protector covers on because our child is allergic to dust mites. Also, does this product emit significant amount of electromagnetic waves?" The cover can accommodate thicker mattresses, so I would assume that if you have a normal thickness mattress with a cover, that the pad would work fine. I have no idea about electromagnetic waves though. Unfortunately I can't answer that because we don't use mattress protector covers and I wouldn't know about electromagnetic waves. I just know I love having a nice toasty bed in the winter when I climb in.
We will turn it on high about an hour before we go to bed and then it's really nice and warm. I will keep mine on low throughout the night but my husband turns his side off. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful I use a mattress cover over my heated mattress pad without any problems. I do not not have the answer about electromagnetic waves, though? "Need to buy a second one for my son, but can someone tell me why the label on this mattress pad say not for diabetic persons?" Hello lordthunder, Diabetes has many possible complications, including nerve damage (neuropathy). Over time, excess blood sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves. This can cause tingling or numbness that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and over a period of months or years gradually spreads upward. Left untreated, it's possible to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. If you have any degree of nerve damage, you may not be able to sense if an electric blanket or heating pad is too hot — which can lead to inadvertent burns.
The same issue applies to water temperature when bathing. I hope this info helps. "is it reversible or will i feel the wires more on the opposite side" Hello glitter, the heated mattress pad is not reversible. The top layer is more comfortable to sleep on. If you have any other questions please let us know. Have a great day! "I received my mattress pad, but no cord or controllers. It really appeared that these items would come with my order." Hello OstkUser17873, please contact customer care at 1-800-843-2446 for further assistance with this issue. "We just bought 4 of the mattress pads and none work. When we plug them in the light blinks and then goes off. They can't all be bad! Hello KMS, please contact Overstock Customer Care at 1-800-The-BIG-O (843-2446). Please let us know if you have additional questions. "Where is the pad plug in located? On the top of the mattress or on the side of the mattress? Hello rciancio, thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, the information you have requested is currently unavailable.
You will receive an email notification once an answer is posted. Have a great day. "What is the wattage on this blanket?" Hello Bill-in-Tulsa.c J., this item features 120 to 180 watts (between 2 and 4 cents per night). "Can the full size one be used to cover a new Full size Casper Mattress? Does it just slide over the corners like a fitted sheet?" Hello rt&ASSOC, this mattress pad can fit pockets up to 15" inches. It will fit over each corner like a fitted sheet. "Can this be used on a memory foam topper?" Hello 2dieis2live, yes this can used on a memory foam topper. Please let us know if you have any further questions. "Can this mattress pad be safely used on an blow up air mattress?" Hello Jazzgirl, the mattress pad usually has elastic to stretch up to 15 inches deep for normal mattresses. So an air mattress is probably 5-6 inches in depth. It may fit, but it may be too big and you would need to tuck it in under the air mattress before you put a fitted sheet on.
"Can you feel the filliments or wires of the heating pad when you lie on it.? I had an electric blanket one time but it was really uncomfortable to have on top of your body because you could feel the heating wires throught the blanket." Hello Tsaligi, we can appreciate the fact you want a firsthand account of the product. You will receive an email notification every time you get a response. Yes, but it takes a year to really feel it...Same product is much more expensive on other sites/stores. Live in the State of Indiana, Winters are very cold. Throws are not enough to ward off the cold nights, and they are not for people (like me) whom have Arthritis. I had looked at other stores and their prices were double what you charge. Price, needed one,ratings, no shipping cost!Sure hope I will not be disappointed. Have had one for two years and now need new one. Very happy with item needed a new one, had my other one 15 yearsI WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 12% OFF AND IT WAS ONLY 10%
friend has a heated pad and recommends them. sounds good to me! Enjoy the product and the price was right. Ordered it before and it's well made and good quality Needed also cheaper than amazon Need for our Camper Trailer for the early and late season months. My husband gets very cold and thought this might help him. I hope it does. price, needed a new mattress pad, like the heat on my bones, like climbing into a nice warm bed. Have Fibromyalgia and the heat helps me sleep better with less pain. I am cold, and I trust Beautyrest. I sleep on their mattress. "1. What are the dimensions (I know it's queen size but perhaps there is an exact dimension? 2. It's washable but can it be dried in a conventional dryer?" Hello Breadwinner, The dimensions and care instructions are as follows: Care instructions: Machine washable Dimensions: 60 inches wide x 80 inches long "Does the foot section get warmer than the head section?" Hello palmtree, this has dual controls so each side of the bed can be set at a different temperature, however, it does not have multiple zones.