Are electric blankets safe?

New and well-maintained electric blankets are generally considered safe; however, there are some groups of people who should avoid using them. Pregnant women are cautioned to avoid electric blankets to prevent overheating the fetus, and diabetics should avoid them because one of the symptoms of diabetes is insensitivity to heat.

Never use an electric blanket that is damaged or threadbare, as this can lead to burns on the skin or a fire in flammable bedding material where wires are exposed. As of 2014, most electric blankets made after 2000 have an automatic shut-off switch to prevent them from becoming too hot, but blankets made prior to this time may not have this safety feature.