Sleeping with heating pad ?

[canabiz]

Guys, does any of you sleep with heating pad/electric blanket and turn down the home heating overnight ?

I went to a Home Health Care (affiliated with Shoppers Drug Mart) yesterday to buy a heating pad but I was advised it's not recommended to sleep with a heating pad.

Thoughts ?

[vedia]

my god that is ghetto, its shocking, just absolutely shocking...... but then again this is rfd.

[zeddy]

Heating pads are hotter than an electric blanket. They are not meant to be used all night long like electric blankets or electric mattress pads.

[time space]

There are many who would be concerned with the risk of extended exposure to close range electromagnetic radiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation_and_health), though studies have been inconclusive.

What about a hot water bottle and/or a thicker duvet?

[brunes]

Guys, does any of you sleep with heating pad/electric blanket and turn down the home heating overnight ?

I went to a Home Health Care (affiliated with Shoppers Drug Mart) yesterday to buy a heating pad but I was advised it's not recommended to sleep with a heating pad.

Thoughts ?

I would be more concerned about a fire starting in my bed while I was sleeping than any health effects.

It is one thing to use those to warm you while you are awake, but IMO no electrical blanket type device should be left on while no one is there to watch it.

[canabiz]

I have done some research into this and as a PP said, the health effects studies are inconclusive.

With regards to fire hazards, i believe there are certain models that come with an auto-timer i.e. it shuts off when a certain temperature is reached but yes the risk is there.

I am still looking into this. It will be for my wife who sometimes experienced cramp in her stomach and found using the heating pad help alleviate the pain as well as providing additional heat. Unfortunately, her old heating pad stopped working recently and we are in the market for a new one.

[Stv]

http://www.shopxscargo.com/product_catalogue/cat_product_details.asp?category_id=41&product_code=22017&sub_category_1_id=163&category=Massagers%20&%20Body%20Supports

http://www.shopxscargo.com/images/product_catalogue/large/22017_l.jpg

Product Detail:

Soft, padded cushion with soothing infrared heat.

Product Features:

* 6 motors for comfort in 3 zones with ON/OFF heat settings
* Ergonomic easy-to-use hand-held controller
* Plugs into vehicle cigarette lighter or with AC adaptor in wall outlet
* Perfect for home or travel use
* Side pouch conveniently stores controller

[TCWeasel]

Using a heating pad while sleeping is probably bad karma. An electric blanket is fine, but probably just best to warm up your bed just before you get into it then turn it off. Some good covers/blankets/comforters should be good enough to retain your body heat and keep you toasty.

An heating pad for medical purposes is OK, but there are some non-electrical alternatives bean bags, water bottles or something like these (http://thermo-pad.com/). If you do get a heating bad, there are some which have timers that will shut off after a certain period of time.

[fakishan]

Don't know your situation, but not heating a home will deteriorate it's structures significantly.