The ever-increasing cost of living has many of us looking for ways to save money, and as the mercury drops, using an electric blanket is a popular way to keep winter bills low
A warning has been issued to anyone who uses an electric blanket to keep warm. Electric blankets are becoming increasingly popular as a way to save on heating bills as the cost of living continues to soar and temperatures across the UK plummet.
The Ofgem price cap was increased from £1,720 a year to £1,755 between October 1 and December 31 for a typical household, leaving many Brits concerned they may be worse off this winter. OVO Energy has even rolled out a £56million support package which will see the firm give away free electric blankets and other energy-saving items, with Octopus Energy recently announcing a similar plan.
Electric blankets are popular as they are much cheaper than turning on your heating. Proponents claiming you can stay warm for as little as £3 a month.
However, the devices do come with risks.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue took to TikTok to share a warning video, in which a member of staff said: “Electric blankets are a very cost effective way to keep warm this winter.
“However, it is important to make sure that we use these correctly.”
Improper use of electric blankets can pose a fire risk – around 43 housefires fires a year are caused nationwide by electric blankets, according to government statistics.
To ensure you and your family remain safe, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue urged people to “make sure you check for any damaged cables” before you use your electric blanket.
You should always plug your electric blanket into a wall socket and not an extension cable, and always switch off and unplug your device before you go to bed.
In the comments of the video, some people said they were wary of using electric blankets.
“I’ve never used one and I will never use one,” one person wrote.
However, using an electric blanket safely can be a great way to reduce your energy bills in the colder months.
Experts at Uswitch state: “Most electric blankets consume no more than 300 watts – and some single blankets as little as 40W – when on their highest setting.
“Their energy usage falls significantly when the electric blanket is switched to its lowest setting, making it possible to heat a bed for 7-8 hours a night for as little as 1p, or £3.66 a year, when the blanket is set to its minimum heat setting.”
The blankets can still prove pricey if used on higher settings and for extended periods of time.
“How much your electric blanket costs to run over an extended period depends on its energy rating, what temperature you set it to, and how long you use it for each night,” Uswitch states.
“You can significantly reduce this cost by setting the blanket’s heat setting to low, having it switched on for fewer hours and not using it during the warmer months.”