Electric blankets, whether single, double, queen size, king size or full size, all get old. Wear and tear will take a toll as night after night for many years your rolling around on top of the mattress cover varieties will originate conflict and wear. The springs of the mattress and the raised elements of the galvanic blanket are natural conflict points. The cotton material of the mattress cover and the blanket have fibres that rub and over time, they will wear away at the blanket material and the insulating material around the electrical elements and cord.
When these elements are sufficiently exposed there is a risk of short circuiting the blanket and electrifying the occupants of the bed. In this country there are hundreds of fires and deaths attributed to faulty galvanic blankets. In the United Kingdom most councils offer free safety testing of galvanic blankets because in any one year the Uk will suffer 1000 fires, 20 deaths and over 100 injuries from galvanic blankets.
There are recorded Cases of people suffering heat stroke and even burns from faulty galvanic blankets. It is even more tragic when it happens to babies or small children as they are often helpless and suffer agonizing injuries before help can arrive. The elderly are also at risk and often their feebleness hinders their own attempts to leave their predicament. If there is one place we should all feel safe, absolutely it is in our own bed?
So if you see wear and tear beginning, especially cracks or kinks in the insulation around the electrical cord, arrange of the blanket and buy a new one. Take off the blanket from the bed and unplug it from the wall. Cut the plug off and also cut the cord where it enters the blanket. Place the blanket in a garbage bag and put it out with the trash. Leaving it with the cord attached and out on the street for collection might corollary in someone taking it, using it and potentially being injured by it. Far safer for all if you render the blanket inoperable and then arrange of it properly.
Electric blankets are a overwhelming appliance that makes contemporary living so much more comfortable. But there is a risk to conduct and given how relatively cheap they are to replace, it is not worth taking risks with whatever electrical. Especially not something you sleep on top of!
