With the spring now upon us in the UK, many of us will be storing our winter bedding for the warmer months ahead.
While electric blankets are great for keeping you warm during the winter, they can become a fire hazard if they’re not stored properly.
In fact, electric blankets account for over 5000 fires a year in the home, emphasising the importance of proper storage.
Storing your electric blanket correctly will ensure you can rest easy knowing you and your family are safe.
To store an electric blanket, you will need to:
- Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for storage
- Prepare the electric blanket for storage
- Keep it unplugged
- Gently roll up the blanket
- Don’t keep anything on top of the blanket
- Keep checking on the electric blanket
1. Check The Manufacturer’s Guidelines For Storage
The first step to storing an electric blanket when it’s not in use after winter is to check the manufacturer’s guidelines for storage.
This is important because it will contain important information on how to store your specific make and model of electric blanket.
By checking the manufacturer’s guidelines, you can cover all bases before you set about placing your electric blanket into storage.
Electric blankets account for over 5000 fires a year in the home, emphasising the importance of proper storage.
2. Prepare The Electric Blanket For Storage
Once you’ve checked the manufacturer’s guidelines, you can prepare your electric blanket for storage.
This will involve getting it nice and clean and dry before you store it away.
Can You Put An Electric Blanket In The Washing Machine?
The majority of modern electric blankets can be washed either in the washing machine or by hand. However, this comes with the caveat that you must ensure that the label indicates that it’s safe to do so.
Once you have allowed it to dry, be sure to check the electric blanket for any damage, such as bumps or kinks in the wires. You should also never use an electric blanket if there are any visible scorch marks or if the wires are poking through the fabric.
If you discover any at this point, it’s time to dispose of and replace the blanket safely, as any damage to your electric blanket can be a fire hazard.
3. Keep It Unplugged
When storing your electric blanket, it is crucial that you keep it unplugged when it’s not in use.
Be sure to keep the controller and power cable separate from the blanket, as folding them up with the blanket can increase the risk of bending or putting pressure on the wires when they’re in storage.
By keeping these items separate, you can maximise the lifespan of your electric blanket.
Be sure to check the electric blanket for any damage, such as bumps or kinks in the wires.
4. Gently Roll The Blanket Up
To store your electric blanket, you will need to gently roll the blanket up.
An electric blanket contains internal wiring along the length of the blanket, meaning you can’t fold it tightly like you might with standard extra bedding in order to save space.
By gently rolling the blanket up, you will ensure that the various wires are protected.
5. Don’t Keep Anything On Top Of The Blanket
Once the blanket has been rolled up, you can gently place it into a large, breathable bag or container in a dry environment.
While it might be tempting to store clothes and other items on top of the container, you should never keep anything on top of your electric blanket.
Doing so will put unnecessary pressure on the electric wiring and could cause damage without you even noticing. Over time, this could result in an electrical fire.
When in doubt, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on where to store your electric blanket.
6. Keep Checking On The Electric Blanket
Once you have stored your electric blanket, you must keep checking on the electric blanket.
This way, you can keep your blanket in the best possible condition and ensure that you can spot any damage before it’s too late.
Routine visual checks are crucial to safely storing an electric blanket, so make sure they become part of your routine.
While it might be tempting to store clothes and other items on top of the bag or container, you should never keep anything on top of your electric blanket.
So, there you have how to store an electric blanket.
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Written by Jemima Thomas for Falconer Removals & Storage.
