Warning issued to anyone using electric blanket this winter

The mercury is seriously plummeting right now, leaving many of us mooching around our homes in thick-knit jumpers, cosy slippers and the heating cranked to high.

However, for many of us who find the rising cost of electricity a bit of a strain on our wallets, we opt for something a little more affordable - the trusty electric blanket.

The winter essential is exactly what it says on the tin: it's a blanket with integrated heating wires that warm up when plugged into an electrical outlet. But, you need to use your leccy blanky safely, or else you could risk a major health and safety hazard, which is not very Christmassy at all.

"We get asked about electric blankets all the time at this time of year," Judith Ackers, a bed and mattress expert at Land of Beds, explained. "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."

How can electric blankets disrupt your sleep?

Anyone with an electric blanket, listen up! (Alina Storozhenko / Getty Images)

According to the expert, the optimum bedroom temperature for sleep is between 16°C and 19°C.

But, while a pre-warmed bed can help people fall asleep more easily, staying a little toasty throughout the night can impact your deep, restorative sleep.

Because of this, Judith suggests switching your electric blanket off or reducing it to the lowest heat setting once you're comfortable instead of keeping it on throughout the night.

"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," Judith noted.

How can electric blankets cause fires and damage your mattress?

There are a number of alternative ways to stay toasty this winter (OKrasyuk / Getty Images)

According to the experts at Land of Beds, studies indicate that approximately 5,000 household fires across the UK annually involve electric blankets, many of which are frequently caused by improper usage.

And, while it may be cosy central, it's risky keeping a heated blanket switched on throughout the night as this will apparently heighten your chances of overheating or becoming dehydrated. In uncommon instances, users have experienced burns or electrical malfunctions.

"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 advised, also noting that mattresses can suffer damage from extended heat exposure, potentially invalidating guarantees.

She added: "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 leaving your electric blanket running all evening, Judith suggests using multiple layers of bedding, using hot water bottles, heated throws or bed socks to stay warm while you get your long-deserved eight hours.