People urged to take vital step if they use an electric blanket this winter

With energy bills continuing to rise, and the temperature dropping as we enter the colder months, many are relying on their electric blankets now more than ever. However, experts at Land of Beds, are warning that improper use of these could be having a negative impact on your sleep - and could also be damaging your mattress.

"We get asked about electric blankets all the time at this time of year," says Judith Ackers, Bed and Mattress Expert at Land of Beds. "People want to know if they're safe to leave on overnight, whether they'll ruin their mattress, and if they actually help you sleep better. The short answer is: it depends on how you use them.

"Electric blankets are brilliant for warming a cold bed, but if used incorrectly, they can actually disrupt sleep, cause overheating, or even damage mattresses."

The ideal bedroom temperature for sleep is between 16°C and 19 °C, and while a pre-warmed bed can help people fall asleep faster, staying too hot through the night can prevent deep, restorative sleep.

Instead of keeping the blanket at a high temperature all night, Judith recommends switching it off or turning it down to the lowest heat setting once you're settled.

She added: "It sounds counterintuitive, but a cool room with warm bedding is the winning combination. Pre-warming your sheets for comfort is fine, but your room itself needs to stay cool. Your body needs to drop its core temperature to fall asleep properly."

While modern electric blankets are safer than older models, research reports that around 5,000 house fires in the UK each year involve electric blankets, often due to misuse.

Leaving a heated blanket on overnight will increase your risk of overheating or dehydration. And in rare cases, users have reported burns or electrical faults.

Judith warns: "If you really want to keep it on overnight, make sure it's on the absolute lowest heat setting and that it's a newer model with proper safety features."

Judith also went on to explain that mattresses, particularly memory foam, can also be damaged by prolonged heat, potentially voiding warranties.

She said: "I've seen mattresses where people have used electric blankets on high settings for years, and you can actually see the impression where the blanket was. Memory foam in particular doesn't respond well to prolonged heat. If you've spent good money on a quality mattress, it's worth being cautious."

Instead of keeping your electric blanket on all night, Judith recommends layering bedding, using hot water bottles, heated throws, or bed socks to stay warm instead.