On cold winter days it is lovely to find a sunny spot to read, knit, watch television, and – cuddle up with electric lap blankets. or chat to a friend.
Why Electric Lap Blankets?
As one gets older, and becomes less active, it becomes more difficult to keep warm on cold winter days and evenings. You may have made all kinds of changes to keep your home warm, but that may not be enough – it certainly isn’t in my home state – Maine! Winters can be downright brutal.
Investing in a small dog or cat to sit on your lap and keep you warm is one way to fight the cold. But not everybody wants a pet. With an electric lap blanket you can have the warmth of a pet without the hassle.
Electric lap blankets are also perfect for keeping you warm while working at your desk. There is no need to heat the entire room. Just plug in your electric lap blanket, throw it over your knees and feel the warmth seep through your body while you work.
Rooms can become stuffy if heaters and central heating are used to warm the house. With the use of an electric lap blanket, the air can remain fresh enabling you to concentrate while keeping warm.
A huge benefit of electric lap blankets is that they use much less electricity than heating an entire room. You can have the warmth and comfort without the high energy bills.
Are These Just Electric Blankets?
The main difference between electric lap blankets and a “normal” electric bed blankets is the size. Lap blankets are smaller, usually measuring 50 inches by 60 inches. This is a comfortable size to cover your lap without it dragging on the floor. Smaller electric lap blankets, usually used for travelling, are also available. Electric blankets come in sizes to fit single, double, queen, and king-sized beds.
Another major difference is the color. As electric blankets are used under the sheet on a bed, they usually come in neutral white or cream. Electric lap blankets come in an array of patterns and colors as they are designed to be left over the back of your couch or desk chair. When choosing an electric lap blanket you will want to find a color that coordinates with your décor.
Why Electric Blankets Might be Bad for You
There are two main reasons some people believe electric blankets might be bad for you: electrical and magnetic fields and fire hazards.
EMFs
Electric blankets, like many electrical appliances, give off very low electrical and magnetic fields (EMFs). Even when an electric blanket is turned off, it will still emit EMFs and must be unplugged to stop EMF emission. EMFs have been hypothesized to cause cancer.
Many studies have been carried out to determine if this is the case. In a study published in 2000 in PubMed, it was concluded that “exposure to EMFs from in-home electrical appliance use was not found to increase breast cancer risk.”
A study done on electric blanket use and breast cancer in the nurses’ health and printed in the American Journal of Epidemiology claims ‘results did not support an association between breast cancer risk and exposure to EMFs from electric blankets.’
Although more research is needed, it looks as though there is no cause-and-effect relationship between EMF exposure from electric blankets and the risk of cancer.
Fire Hazards
Safety is also a consideration when purchasing or using an electric lap blanket. It is advisable to buy a better-quality electric lap blanket as cheaper ones tend to be made of lower quality materials and manufactured under less stringent safety guidelines. The price difference is a small price to pay for safety.
Old electric blankets can become a safety hazard. When taking your electric lap blanket out of the cupboard, where it has been lying useless all summer, make sure to check for any damage. Often wires can become bent where the blanket was folded.
Ensure that all bent wires are straightened and are not damaged as this may lead to fires. Newer models of electric blankets are fitted with an automatic shutoff to prevent overheating and potential fires.
The main cause of injury when using an electric lap blanket is when it is not used according to the instructions given. Using an electric lap blanket until one overheats can cause damage to internal organs, vessels and body cells. It is thus very important that the instructions be followed very carefully.
Will an Electric Blanket Increase Your Electricity Bill?
Definitely not. In fact, using an electric lap blanket wisely may decrease your electricity bill. Heating an entire room or running a heater near your chair all day can shoot your electricity bill right up. Electric blankets do not use a lot of electricity and they can replace a heater or fire.
The exact amount of electricity that an electric blanket uses depends on its wattage. The higher the wattage the more electricity it will use. A higher temperature setting will use more electricity than a lower one. Your central heating can be turned down, or even off, during the day if you have an electric lap warmer to keep you cozy. You will soon notice a decrease in your electricity bill.
5 Recommended Electric Lap Blankets
Following are what we see as some of the best lap blankets (throws) found on Amazon. There are certainly going to be retail options near you in a physical store, but these are less common than traditional-sized electric blankets. Still, even those might work for the person who wants extra warmth!
1 – Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket
- Easy to use electric throw with push button controller, with 4 heat settings and 4-hour auto-shut off function for peace of mind
- Luxurious and ultra comfy royal mink with reverse sherpa material for added warmth and comfort, stylish dark grey color
Sunbeam is a household name. This blanket is stylish and cozy with one side silky and the other Sherpa. It is equipped with 3 different heat settings and is machine washable and dryer safe.
2 – Beautyrest Zuri Electric Blanket
- Evenly spaced heating elements deliver even heat distribution throughout. 100% UL certified and engineered to emit VIRTUALLY NO EMF radiation. Your safety is of utmost importance to us.
- Luxuriously Reversible Faux Fur Electric Blanket offers extra warmth for the cold winter; delivers heat ranging from 85 - 105℉ (temperature range will vary based on current ambient room temperature).
Beautyrest is also a well-known brand. This large lap blanket comes in 7 different colors and designs and looks and feels like regular faux-fur to maximize coziness. It has 3 heat settings and a 2 hour auto off feature for safety. It is UL certified and engineered for lowest electromagnetic field radiation possible. Despite all its coziness is it machine washable.
3 – Car Cozy Heated Travel Blanket
- Plugs into any 12-volt power outlet
- Safety timer with auto shut-off
This fleece throw blanket is ideal for cold morning car trips as it plugs into the 12V outlet of the car. Each passenger can adjust their own comfort with their own electric lap blanket. The days of fighting over the temperature in the car are over.
4 – Woolrich Ridley Throw Blanket
- NEW TECHNOLOGY -- Our heated throw utilizes state of the art Secure Comfort heated technology that adjusts the temperature of your throw based on overall temperature, spot temperatures and the ambient temperature of your room, ensuring a consistent flow of warmth. This unique technology also emits virtually no electromagnetic field emissions, so you can snuggle up with confidence
- THERAPEUTIC RELIEF - 3 Heat levels to find your comfort zone of your plush electric wrap throw. Pre-heating feature allows our electric wraps to be snuggly warm before crawling into the covers. Our unique design helps you relief and sooth the pains on your shoulders
This reversible cozy lap blanket is fitted with 3 settings and a 2 hour auto shut off timer. It is machine washable and dryer safe. You can enjoy the plaid faux fur or the berber fleece side, let your mood be your guide. The Secure Comfort Technology emits virtually no electromagnetic field.
5 – Homde Heated Electric Throw Blanket
- SAFETY ASSURANCE: Homde safe heated throw is certificated by ETL. Shuts off automatically after 4 hours of continuous use, no worry of forgotten shutoff. Overheat protection promotes safer use experience. Also, we offer a two-year guarantee to put your mind at ease. NOTE : The suitable voltage is 120V AC only / 60Hz
- EASY TO USE: Controller is easy to see and use, and features 3 warming settings (rang: 90-110℉), you can choose the right warmth for yourself. 10 feet power cable makes the electric heated blanket free of restriction by a short cable to work flexibly in a wider range; Can also be used as a normal blanket by simply detaching the controller
This cozy electric lap blanket is ETL certified and has a 4 hour shutoff timer as well as overheat protection. The ultra-soft flannel is machine washable and dryer safe. Three heat settings enable you to customize your comfort.
Summary
Whether you are snuggling in for a winter’s night of Netflix binging or slaving over your computer, studying or just sitting quietly in a chair, an electric lap blankets can be the answer for comfort. This safe, energy efficient alternative will ensure you never need be cold again.