After suffering from freezing cold nights for several weeks, I decided to do some research in order to find the best electric blanket that I could purchase for my home. However, I became concerned with the safety of these types of blankets. So as a result, I did some more digging to find out all of the details before buying.
Can you sleep on top of an electric blanket? The answer of whether or not you can sleep on an electric blanket will depend on the type of blanket that you have. To be more specific, there are two types of electric blankets: the first one goes under the user, while the other goes on top similar to a comforter.
In short, you should use each type of electric blanket exactly as intended. So, you can sleep on top of an electric blanket that is designed to go underneath your sheets.
Electric blankets consist of a huge network or tiny wires that run through the entire thing in order to keep the user warm during use. Even though these types of blankets can be really helpful in a lot of situations, they have also been rumored to be very dangerous if not used correctly.
In this article, we will be going over everything you need to know about electric blankets, from how you should use them all the way to some helpful safety tips that will allow you to rest peacefully.
Can You Sleep On Top Of an Electric Blanket?
When it comes to sleeping with electric blankets, a lot of people are hesitant to do so. This is due to the fact that electric blankets are made of electrical wires that could cause a safety hazard if you are not careful with how you use it.
In the same conversation, many people are unsure whether or not you can sleep on top of an electric blanket. This is exactly what we will be clearing up in this section. But first, we will be highlighting the two different types of electric blankets: over and under.
Take a look at the list down below to get a quick explanation of the difference between the two, along with their individual characteristics.
“Over” Electric Blankets:
- Placed “over” the body
- Functions like a comforter (on top of sheets)
- Most common type of electric blanket
- Connected by a power cord
Over electric blankets are the most common design in this category. If you have ever seen or used one of these before, it is probably what you envisioned at the beginning of this article.
These types of blankets are almost exactly what they sound like. They go over the body, and over the bed as well. In other words, it functions just like a comforter, sitting on top of the sheets during sleep.
“Under” Electric Blankets:
- Placed “under” the body
- Thinner than over electric blankets
- Goes under all layers of the bed (similar to a mattress pad)
- Connected by a power cord
Under electric blankets, on the other hand, are also pretty similar to what you might be picturing right now. This type of blanket goes under all layers of the bed, and is very similar to a mattress pad.
As a result, under electric blankets are much thinner than the alternative. However, both of these options are connected to the wall outlet by a power cord in order to be used.
So, going back to the original question about sleeping on top of electric blankets, it is definitely something that can be done safely. However, you should only do this if you have an under electric blanket that you are actually supposed to sleep on top of.
Otherwise, if you have an over electric blanket, you should stick to sleeping under it. This is due to the fact that the weight and impact of your body can interfere with the internal wires and cause a safety issue while you are sleeping.
All in all, you should use electric blankets exactly as instructed, and if you want to sleep on top of yours, then you should purchase the correct design to suit your needs.
Which One Is Better: An Over Or Under Electric Blanket?
Now that you have gotten an idea of what the difference is between an over and under electric blanket, you might be wondering which one is better for you.
Here are some of the benefits that come with using an over electric blanket:
- Easily moveable around the house
- Pain relief and alleviation from pre-existing conditions
- Traps natural body heat inside of the bed to keep you warm
Over electric blankets, first of all, are very easy to move around the house. This comes from the blankets being similar to a comforter, meaning that they will rest on top of the bed.
If you want to bring it into another room, you can simply unplug it from the wall and make the transfer without disturbing much.
In addition to the convenience that comes with using over electric blankets, you might experience relief from pain or pre-existing conditions. However, you should always consult your doctor before using one if this applies to you.
Finally, the over electric blanket is great at trapping natural body heat inside of the bed, since it covers the top of your body while you are sleeping.
Here are some of the negatives that come with using an over electric blanket:
- Heat is exposed to the air so it can run out quickly
- Can feel heavy and get in the way
- Higher probability for stains on the surface
- Can cause discomfort or worsen conditions (ie sweating, skin conditions)
- Must sleep underneath this blanket
The negatives of this type of blanket, on the other hand, include running out of heat more quickly. More specifically, the heat of the top of the blanket is directly exposed to the air in your bedroom, meaning that the temperatures can go down fast.
They can also feel heavy and get in the way while you are sleeping or even just making your bed. With the blanket being on the top of the bed, there is a higher probability of leaving spills and stains on the surface.
In exactly the same way that electric blankets can help relieve pain, they can cause an equal amount of discomfort, from sweating to worsening skin conditions.
Lastly, you can’t sleep on top of an over electric blanket. This type of blanket is particularly designed to serve as a comforter, and nothing more.
Here are some of the benefits that come with using an under electric blanket:
- Ease of use and added comfort
- Stability under the sheets
- Heightened ability to trap and retain heat in side of the bed
- Pain relief and alleviation of pre-existing conditions
- Can safely sleep on top of it
Under electric blankets, on the other hand, are very easy to use and add comfort in comparison to their counterparts. They are increasingly stable under the sheets, and don’t move around much.
They are able to trap and retain heat inside of the bed, and also help to relieve pain and the symptoms of some pre-existing conditions.
Under electric blankets can be slept on top of with very little safety risk. In fact, you can sleep with it in your bed every night without feeling a thing.
Here are some of the negatives that come with using an under electric blanket:
- Not as moveable (must take the entire bed apart to transfer)
- Compatible with selective types of mattresses
- Can potentially cause discomfort while sleeping
With all of the positives also come negatives. Under electric blankets are not as moveable. If you want to transfer them, you will have to take the entire bed apart.
This article is owned by Sleeping Report and was first published on June 3, 2019
They are also only compatible with selective types of mattresses, and can cause discomfort while sleeping. If you are on top of a heat source, you can be prone to night sweating that can no longer be controlled unless you remove the blanket.
Tips For Staying Safe While Using Electric Blankets
To conclude, we will be touching on a few safety tips that you can use for safe sleeping with electric blankets.
Here are some safety tips that you can follow while using an electric blanket:
- Make sure all of the cords and wires are intact at all times (before using)
- Don’t fold it while it is plugged in
- Avoid direct contact (on skin or mattress)
- Use the timer feature instead of leaving it on while sleeping
- Never walk away from an electric blanket or leave it on in your bed when you leave the house
When you are using the blanket, you should always make sure that all of the cords and wires are intact, and that you are not folding it while it is plugged in.
Overall, don’t have any direct contact with the blanket on either your skin or mattress, and be aware of how you leave it on, whether you are sleeping or you have left the house.
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Final Thoughts
All in all, electric blankets can be very beneficial and easy to use, as long as you follow through with the proper safety precautions and only sleep on top of them when suggested by the manufacturer.
