ELECTRIC BLANKETS ?

[bullbreaker]

I have been put in charge of purchasing ( for Church) if research I do is "positive" in regards to safety,etc some electric blankets. Being down here in SW Fla I don't know much about them. The idea is they would be for some adults and children that live in poorly insulated or heated houses,trailers,etc . One particular young man that comes to mind was born with no arms. Of course when in use if research proves positive the people that require extreme special care are never left alone.
Please could anybody here on TBN site give me thoughts on brands,safety,negative experiences,etc. The funding for the blankets has already been provided,cost is of no concern . Thanks in advance !

Boone

 

[creekbend]

I have never used a heated mattress pad, so I can't comment on them. We have had a Sunbeam electric blanket for over 20 years. It has a removable cover on it, when it comes time for cleaning. It has Lo-Medium-High temperature settings. One thing that we have enjoyed about it is the convenience. My wife gets colder than I do, and she can use it on her side of the bed only, or if I need some additional warmth, I just pull it back over my body parts that I choose. I do not think that a heated mattress pad would provide this convenience function. You can take an electric blanket with you from room to room if the temperature change varies, in case one family member thinks the thermostat is set too low-cold, and the other one needs additional warmth. Electric blankets come in different sizes. If this ends up being your choice, I would most definitely buy those that are UL tested. Just my thoughts. BTW I respect you for your and your Church's efforts in reaching out and helping the less fortunate members in your community.:thumbsup:

 

[Craig Clayton]

My thoughts are along this line. A quality blanket never breaks, it will last down to the term ( thread bare ). And you do not have to worry if an infirm person uses it. To clean it, probably just simple soap and water. And in case of a power outage you just put on more blankets.

Craig Clayton

 

[Craig Clayton]

I had a follow up thought , I was talking about WOOL blankets, meaning they never break.

Craig Clayton

 

[creekbend]

Yes -mattress heaters come in twin - king sizes, multi control, & multiple heat settings. You're not thinking of the old hot brick in a pan bed warmers are you??? MikeD74t

In response to your post: My statements verbatim were "I have never used a heated mattress pad, so I can't comment on them" and "I do not think that a heated mattress pad would provide this convenience function". I was referring to the convenience of only one person in the bed using the blanket or both. I was also referring to the ease of taking an electric blanket to another area in the home. My Wife had a heated mattress pad during her stay in the hospital, and I am aware of their capabilities such as dual heating areas;etc. Not once did my post show any indication that I suggested that heated mattress pads did not come in different sizes and were not equipped with multiple control and heat settings. Mattress pads are normally slept on top of, and a person usually sleeps under an electric blanket.It was my intention to assist bullbreaker in his righteous undertaking. I do not understand why you posted "You're not thinking of the old hot brick in a pan bedwarmers are you??? Most everyone that posts on a thread is trying to assist the OP in regards to his questions and inquires.That was my sole purpose. I wish bullbreaker the best in his endeavor, and hopefully some deserving and unfortunate individuals will benefit by his Church's program.

 

[Willl]

If they can't afford turning the heat up, how can they afford powering the electric blankets ?

Another vote for the wool blankets.

 

[iplumb]

How many watts are they?

 

[BobRip]

If they can't afford turning the heat up, how can they afford powering the electric blankets ?

Another vote for the wool blankets.

Electric blankets pull a small fraction of the power pulled by an electric heater. I cannot remember exactly, but under 200 watts comes to mind. You are heating a smaller area. Electric heaters are around 1500 watts.

 

[LWG]

I've used both, the mattress pads and the blankets. Although the mattress pads seem like a better idea, I think the blankets are more comfortable.

To address your question directly, there are low voltage blankets which might be the answer. It's just a transformer and wiring designed for 12v. The original reason for the design was to eliminate EM radiation thought to be more dangerous because of the minimal distance between the body and the source. I don't think that's the concern it was, but the risk of electrocution to someone with limited mobility is reduced.

 

[slowzuki]

We've had the electric blankets and the mattress pad, if it is not moved around alot, the pad is far superior. My wife sleeps with her side on high with a thick down duvet, I leave mine off and use a thin flannel sheet. Keeps us in the same bed. We do also have a small heating pad that bounces around the house to different places. Its only 35 watts or something but lets someone be comfortable in a cold room.

 

[rmully]

There can be safety issues with some people ....I would go here Electric Blanket Safety Information | 5 Most Frequent Questions to get good answers about heating blankets and mattress covers.

 

[5030]

I have to leave a commnet.

My wife and I were electric blanket junkies for years, well until this year.

She bought a set of 'Polartec' sheets from Cabelas and we haven't turned on the electric blanket since. The sheets ate roasty and no electricity cost. Big plus is they are Moose printed.:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

we use an electric blanked that has a smart brain in the controller. has a 1-22 dial, and warms the most in areas you are laying. cycles on and off. have used it a few times here in florid awhen i didn't want to pay to hea tthe entire house when i just wante dthe bed to be warm.. etc.

soundguy

 

[bullbreaker]

BIG THANKS !
To all that have responded and given me ideas (help me brainstorm,etc) regarding this topic. :thumbsup:
Much good info given IMHO. From brands like Sunbeam,info on safety/ques,electric pads/bedding etc.
I will be purchasing by next Sat needed items. Rite now it looks like I will be ordering 50 % electric blankets and 50 % blankets (some Polertec's like 5030 mentioned and some wool as mentioned by others). :thumbsup:
I appreciated info on electric pad/electric bedding but will not be ordering any of those type(at least for now) because I don't know potential users bed sizes.
Also will be looking into electric blankets w/smart brain contoller as mentioned by my fellow Floridian . You folks know who he is "Our TBN member here who for years has been secretly stockpiling beautiful mostly Ford Tractors ". :thumbsup:
Sort of has his own area 51 type barn/hanger/quonset hut(s). :thumbsup:

Thanks again Folks ,more replies still Welcomed !

Boone

 

[dmccarty]

We used a heated mattress pad for years. Eventually it broke. We keep talking about replacing it but we have not done so. Generally we would use it to warm up the bed before we went to sleep. We would just turn it off when we got into bed.

We have a quite a few old military surplus wool blankets plus some poly fabric blankets. The poly blankets are pretty danged cheap. With the sheets, blankets and comforter we have been comfortable.

Also you might see if someone has a subscription to either the online and/or print issue of Consumer Reports. They might have covered some of your concerns.

How about buying hooded snuggies with feet.

Later,
Dan

 

[Dozernut]

We have used the electric pad for several years, it helps with my arthritis. This fall the wife bought some fleece sheets and pillow cases (probably like the Polartec ones mentioned earlier) from Kohl's. They are great and you do not have to turn up the pad as high or at all, until the temp drops down in the teens or lower.

 

[RobertN]

Coming in late to this...

Wife and like the heated mattress pad we got got front Bed, Bath and Beyond. Works great. Mostly use it to warm bed before going to bed. Between that and flannel bedding from LL.Bean, it works out really nice!

I do have a very bad family experience. I have a cousin who is blind, and quadriplegic. His care taker had got him in bed, and had an electric blanket on him. In the night, it caught fire. Not bad, and was quickly put out. Well, not bad for someone who could help himself.... My cousin could not, and sustained burns on his legs. Ended up requiring amputation...

It took a long recovery, and time off work. For being blind and quadriplegic, my cousin for years had a local daily radio show... He did eventually recover, and got back to work.

I would definitely advocate the liberal use of smoke and CO2 detectors in these cases.

 

[OKnewguy]

Back in the late 70's I was using an electric blanket, it started smoldering itself and the mattress. Thank God, my dad heard me coughing and got me out of bed and put the fire out. This was on one of the cheap bunk beds with the foam mattress. We had to turn on the attic fan in the middle of winter to air the house out. I know the newer ones have better brains and safety features, but there is no way in he!! I am ever gonna use one. I just throw on an extra quilt.
For what its worth, Dave

 

[turnkey4099]

If they can't afford turning the heat up, how can they afford powering the electric blankets ?

Another vote for the wool blankets.

It's a lot cheaper to heat one area of a bed than a whole house, or even a whole room.

Harry K

 

[Travelover]

One word of caution. I bought an electric blanket and like to sleep warm, so I had it turned up high. I got up in the middle of the night for a (you know), and promptly fainted, falling flat on my face on a hardwood floor.

Doc ran all kinds of tests and decided that the blanket had dehydrated me and that caused the faint. I quit using the blanket and it has never happened again (or before).