| Few things in life are as luxurious on a cold night as | | | | temperatures generated by the blanket, but unlike a |
| an electric blanket. They can provide a warmth and | | | | thermostat, they also take into consideration the |
| comfort that few other bedding items can duplicate. | | | | heat generated by your own body. The result is a |
| Furthermore, most of these blankets are designed | | | | much more controlled, comfortable heat that is less |
| for low voltage, meaning that they are not a drain on | | | | prone to hot spots. This is not to say that modern |
| your electricity bills. | | | | blankets aren't without their risks. The truth is, |
| Electric blankets have been used for almost a | | | | electric blankets are still filled with live wires, which |
| century now. First introduced during the early 20th | | | | can be hazardous, especially if the blanket is old or |
| century, these early models were quite different than | | | | has been used a lot. So, if your blanket is more than |
| today's variety. They were considerably more bulky | | | | 10 years old, or has been folded and stored many |
| than what we have today, and truth be told, their | | | | times over the years, it is highly recommended that |
| safety was somewhat suspect. Their popularity | | | | it be replaced. |
| quickly expanded though after their successful use | | | | Electric blankets have spawned numerous other |
| with tuberculosis patients during the 1920's. The | | | | electrically powered bedding items. Electric mattress |
| introduction of the thermostat control during the | | | | pads are becoming quite popular with homeowners all |
| 1930's further increased their acceptance, as this | | | | over the world. These devices are used in the same |
| device made controlling the temperature much easier, | | | | way as a standard mattress topper, but they can |
| and also provided a safety cut-off switch in the | | | | generate their own heat by being plugged into a |
| event the blanket should begin overheating. | | | | standard wall outlet. There are also blankets that are |
| Modern versions, while based on the same basic | | | | designed for use in an automobile, and are powered |
| principles, use updated wiring and components. | | | | using the cigarette lighter port common to most cars |
| Thermostats, for instance, have been replaced by | | | | and trucks. |
| rheostats instead. Rheostats are used to control the | | | | |