Dear Snug as a bug,

An electric heating blanket can be a nice, warm comfort during the cold weather months if properly used and maintained. There are two types of blankets — underblankets (also called heating pads) that are placed directly on the mattress, and overblankets, which are treated like other blankets you'd snuggle under. They are not to be used interchangeably or at the same time. Most manufacturers advise against using a heating blanket on waterbeds, sofas, bunk beds, or mechanical beds. Check your product's information.

Heating blankets that are too hot or kept on one area of the body for too long pose a real threat of burns. This is especially a concern for infants, the elderly, or anyone who might have difficulty feeling hot temperatures or moving if the blanket does get too hot. You can be burned if you leave the blanket on for too long, so turn it off before going to sleep, unless it's a specially made blanket for use all night.

Some electric heating blankets have a built-in overheating protection system that shuts the blanket off if the temperature gets too high; most new blankets have this. If yours doesn't, consider replacing it with a newer model. Temperatures can get too hot if the blanket is folded, so keep your heating blanket flat while using it.

Ensuring that your blanket is in good working condition and following the manufacturer's guidelines should keep you on the safe side of warm. In addition to the instructions included by the manufacturer, keep the following in mind:

• Replace a worn or cracked heating blanket or one where the electric cord is frayed.
• Make sure that there are no scorch marks on the blanket.
• Never use a wet electric heating blanket.
• Replace any blanket where the embedded heating wires have been displaced or damaged. Check by holding the blanket up to light. You shouldn't see any of the wires touching each other.
• Replace old blankets. Almost all fires caused by electric heating blankets are caused by those older than ten years.

Caring and storing the blanket is also important to avoid damage that may cause fires. Never dry-clean an electrical blanket because the chemicals can damage the heating insulation and increase the risk of fire. When storing the blanket, roll it up or fold it with as few creases as possible. It's best to store it hanging up if you can.

If you follow your manufacturer's instructions and the tips above, you should have no problems, except perhaps not wanting to crawl out from underneath the blanket to face the wintry cold.