Electric blankets can be an economical way to stay warm as household heating costs rise. But buying unsuitable products or using damaged blankets could put households at risk.
As temperatures begin to fall and households look for ways to reduce their heating bills, electric blankets are an attractive option for keeping warm without having to heat an entire room.
Modern electric blankets can provide affordable, comfortable warmth, particularly during cold evenings and overnight.
However, like any electrical appliance, they need to be purchased carefully, inspected regularly and used correctly.
Recent product recalls have highlighted that even apparently normal electric blankets can contain potentially dangerous defects, including overheating components and unsuitable electrical plugs.
At GetTesting, we train people to recognise electrical hazards, inspect equipment and identify potentially dangerous faults.
Here are seven important things to consider before using an electric blanket this winter.
1. Be careful where you buy your electric blanket
Online marketplaces have made it easier than ever to purchase inexpensive electrical products. Unfortunately, they can also make it more difficult to identify who manufactured an appliance, whether it meets UK safety requirements and who is responsible if something goes wrong.
Counterfeit and substandard electrical products remain a concern.
A product might appear perfectly legitimate in an online photograph, complete with familiar branding, positive reviews and claims of safety certification.
However, photographs, customer reviews and product descriptions alone cannot establish whether an electrical appliance is safe.
Our recommendation is to purchase electric blankets directly from reputable manufacturers or established UK retailers.
When shopping through websites such as Amazon or eBay, pay particular attention to who is actually selling the product.
Buying through a familiar website does not necessarily mean the product is being supplied by that company. Some listings are operated by independent third-party sellers.
Warning signs to look out for include:
- Unfamiliar brands with little information about the manufacturer.
- Products supplied with unsuitable plugs or travel adaptors.
- Missing or poorly translated instructions.
- Unusually low prices compared with equivalent products from established manufacturers.
- Sellers without clear contact details or returns information.
- Claims of safety certification that cannot be independently verified.
Electric blankets intended for use with UK mains sockets should be supplied with a suitable UK three-pin plug.
Consumers should also look for appropriate safety markings and, where available, independent third-party product certification.
Remember that a safety mark printed on a product or its packaging does not automatically guarantee that the appliance is genuine or safe.
2. Unsafe electric blankets are a genuine problem
Concerns about electric blanket safety are not hypothetical.
In July 2026, the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published a safety report concerning certain Dunelm electric blanket cables.
The report identified a potential fire risk because copper conductors within the cable could fray, resulting in localised overheating during normal use.
A cable replacement programme was established for affected products.
In November 2025, regulators also identified a high fire risk involving a L’Agraty electric blanket sold through Amazon.
The product’s plug did not meet the relevant dimensional requirements of British Standard BS 1363, potentially resulting in a poor electrical connection, overheating and fire.
The product was rejected at the border, and the online marketplace listing was removed.
These examples illustrate two important points.
Firstly, an electrical appliance can appear perfectly normal while containing a dangerous defect that is not immediately visible to the user.
Secondly, even products purchased through established retailers can occasionally be subject to safety recalls.
Buying from a reputable supplier provides greater confidence in product traceability, customer support and access to remedies if a fault is discovered.
However, it does not remove the need to inspect appliances or pay attention to product recall notices.
3. Inspect your electric blanket before using it
If your electric blanket has spent the summer in a cupboard, take a few minutes to inspect it before plugging it in.
Electrical appliances can deteriorate through age, storage conditions, repeated use or physical damage.
Look for the following warning signs:
- Scorch marks or discolouration: These can indicate that part of the blanket has overheated.
- Damaged or frayed fabric: Excessive wear may leave internal components vulnerable to further damage.
- Exposed heating wires: Internal wiring should not be protruding through the fabric.
- Damaged mains cables: Look for cuts, crushed sections, exposed conductors or signs of overheating.
- Damaged controllers: Check for cracked casings, loose connections or damaged buttons.
- Damaged connectors: Inspect accessible connections between the controller and blanket for signs of damage or overheating.
- Unusual smells or noises: Buzzing, burning smells or unexpected overheating during operation should be treated as warning signs.
If you notice any of these problems, unplug the blanket and stop using it.
Do not attempt to repair damaged heating wires, modify connectors or continue using a blanket simply because it still produces heat.
An important principle of electrical safety is that an appliance working correctly does not necessarily mean it is electrically safe.
Damaged electrical equipment can continue to operate even when a potentially dangerous fault is present.
4. How old is your electric blanket?
Unlike many household electrical appliances, electric blankets are repeatedly flexed, folded and subjected to pressure during normal use.
Over time, this can affect their internal heating elements and electrical connections.
Electrical Safety First and London Fire Brigade recommend replacing electric blankets at least every ten years.
If you cannot remember when you purchased yours, it may be time to consider a replacement, particularly if it has seen regular use.
You should also avoid purchasing second-hand electric blankets.
A used blanket may have been stored incorrectly, damaged or subjected to years of wear without any obvious external indication.
There may also be no reliable information about its age or whether it has previously been subject to a product recall.
The small saving involved in buying a second-hand electric blanket is unlikely to justify that uncertainty.
5. Use your electric blanket correctly
Different types of electric blanket are designed for different purposes.
An electric underblanket is normally fitted to the mattress, while a heated throw is intended to be used over the body.
These products are not necessarily interchangeable, and consumers should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Important precautions include:
- Never sleep with an electric blanket switched on unless the manufacturer specifically states that it is suitable for overnight use.
- Never use an electric blanket and a hot water bottle together.
- Avoid creating tight folds or creases while the blanket is operating.
- Do not place heavy objects on a switched-on blanket.
- Keep electrical controllers and connectors free from damage and moisture.
- Do not use an electric blanket with an airflow pressure-relief mattress.
- Follow the manufacturer’s washing and drying instructions.
- Store blankets flat, rolled up or loosely folded to avoid damaging the internal wiring.
Additional precautions may be necessary for people who have reduced sensitivity to heat, restricted mobility or difficulty operating the controls.
Certain medical conditions and skin treatments may also make electric blankets unsuitable, so always check the manufacturer’s guidance.
6. Check whether your electric blanket has been recalled
Not every dangerous electrical product shows visible signs of damage.
Some defects concern internal components, unsuitable materials or manufacturing problems that cannot be identified through an ordinary visual inspection.
That’s why checking for product recalls is important, even if your electric blanket appears to be in perfect condition.
We recommend checking the UK Government’s official product safety database before using your electric blanket.
UK Government – Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) maintains the government’s official database of product recalls, safety alerts and reports concerning potentially dangerous products.
Consumers can search for their appliance by manufacturer, brand or model number.
Search the UK Government product safety database
Electrical Safety First – Historical Product Recalls
Electrical Safety First also retains a historical database of electrical product recalls covering products up to 2023.
Although the charity no longer maintains its own database of new recalls, its historical records provide an additional reference for consumers checking older electrical appliances.
Search Electrical Safety First’s historical recall database
Why is checking older recalls important?
An electric blanket purchased several years ago could have been subject to a safety recall that you never heard about.
You might have moved house, changed your email address or simply missed the original recall announcement.
Some recalled appliances can remain in people’s homes for years.
When searching, use the manufacturer’s name and model number where possible. Check the product label for additional information, including batch numbers.
If your blanket has been recalled, stop using it immediately and follow the instructions issued by the manufacturer or product safety regulator.
Remember: a product recall does not become irrelevant simply because it happened several years ago.
7. Can electric blankets actually save money?
Electric blankets generally consume considerably less electricity than heating an entire room with a portable electric heater.
For example, an electric blanket rated at 100 watts would use approximately 0.1 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity if operated continuously at full power for one hour.
At an illustrative electricity price of 30p per kWh, that would cost approximately 3p per hour.
Running the same blanket for three hours at full power would therefore cost approximately 9p.
Actual consumption depends on the blanket’s power rating, temperature setting and thermostat operation.
Many modern blankets regulate their temperature automatically, meaning that their actual electricity consumption may be lower than a calculation based on continuous operation at their maximum rated power.
Electric blankets can therefore be a practical option for people wanting to stay comfortable while managing energy costs.
However, they are not a complete substitute for maintaining a suitably heated home.
Homes still need adequate heating and ventilation to reduce condensation, damp and the health risks associated with excessively cold indoor conditions.
Don’t compromise electrical safety to save a few pounds
With household budgets under pressure, it’s understandable that people are looking for cheaper ways to keep warm this winter.
However, when purchasing an electrical appliance that will be in close contact with your body, potentially for several hours at a time, safety should be a priority.
An electric blanket is an appliance you might use for hours while you’re asleep. Saving a few pounds by purchasing one from an unknown online seller may not be worth the uncertainty about its safety.
Our advice is straightforward:
- Buy from a reputable retailer or directly from the manufacturer.
- Check the condition of your electric blanket before using it.
- Replace old, worn or damaged blankets.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check whether your appliance has been subject to a product safety recall.
Most importantly, if you discover damage or anything that makes you question the safety of an appliance, stop using it.
A few minutes spent checking your electric blanket could prevent a much more serious problem.
About GetTesting
GetTesting is a UK electrical safety training provider delivering practical courses in electrical inspection and testing, including portable appliance testing (PAT).
Our training helps individuals and organisations understand electrical hazards, identify defective equipment and make informed decisions about electrical safety.
Find out more about GetTesting’s PAT testing courses.
Sources and further reading
- Electrical Safety First – Electric Blanket Safety
- London Fire Brigade – Electric Blanket Safety
- UK Government – Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls
- Electrical Safety First – Historical Product Recalls
- July 2026 – Dunelm Electric Blanket Cable Safety Report
- November 2025 – L’Agraty Electric Blanket Safety Report
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