GITNUXREPORT 2025

Electric Blanket Fire Statistics

Electric blankets cause thousands of fires annually, mostly due to improper use.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

A survey found that 55% of electric blanket users are unaware of the risks associated with aging or damaged blankets

Statistic 2

Elderly individuals are 3 times more likely to be injured or affected severely by electric blanket fires

Statistic 3

Fire risk associated with electric blankets is higher in households with smokers, with a 35% increase compared to non-smoking households

Statistic 4

The percentage of electric blanket fires involving older adults over 65 years is approximately 28%, reflecting higher vulnerability

Statistic 5

Approximately 5,000 residential fires are caused by electric blankets annually in the United States

Statistic 6

Approximately 70% of electric blanket fires occur during the night when users are asleep

Statistic 7

Electric blankets can cause overheating if they are damaged or improperly used, leading to potential fires

Statistic 8

40% of electric blanket-related fires involve blankets that are more than 10 years old

Statistic 9

Faulty wiring or manufacturing defects account for roughly 25% of electric blanket fire incidents

Statistic 10

The use of electric blankets increases the risk of fire by 4 times if they are not maintained properly

Statistic 11

Electric blankets are responsible for approximately 8% of all domestic fires during winter months

Statistic 12

Over 65% of electric blanket fires start due to improper use, such as folding or crumpling the blanket

Statistic 13

Electric blankets with frayed or damaged cords are 3 times more likely to cause fires

Statistic 14

Only about 20% of electric blanket fires are reported to fire authorities, indicating underreporting

Statistic 15

Approximately 33% of electric blanket fires occur due to user damage, such as pinching or puncturing the fabric

Statistic 16

Electric blankets account for less than 1% of household heating devices but are responsible for a disproportionately higher percentage of related fires

Statistic 17

The use of dual-controller electric blankets can increase the risk of fire if not used properly, with 15% of incidents linked to such devices

Statistic 18

The integration of auto shut-off features in modern electric blankets has reduced fire incidents by 30%

Statistic 19

There has been a 12% increase in electric blanket-related fires during the winter seasons over the last five years

Statistic 20

In a study, 22% of electric blanket fires were caused by overheating due to malfunction

Statistic 21

50% of electric blanket fires are caused during improper storage, such as folding or crushing, according to fire safety reports

Statistic 22

The onset of electric blanket fires is most common during sleep hours, accounting for approximately 65% of cases

Statistic 23

Heavy-duty use and misuse can lead to a 2.5 times increase in fire risk with electric blankets

Statistic 24

Statistically, electric blanket fires tend to peak in January and February, correlating with higher usage during cold spells

Statistic 25

According to fire safety experts, failure to unplug electric blankets after use can increase the fire risk by 50%

Statistic 26

15% of electric blanket fires were caused by user negligence, such as folding the blanket or using inappropriate bedding

Statistic 27

Electric blankets with built-in timers and auto shut-off features are associated with a 30% decrease in fire incidents

Statistic 28

In regions with frequent power surges, electric blankets have a 20% higher fire risk due to electrical faults

Statistic 29

Approximately 45% of electric blanket fires involve cords that are frayed or have exposed wires, indicating poor maintenance

Statistic 30

Around 150 injuries related to electric blanket fires are reported each year

Statistic 31

Electric blankets have been linked to approximately 20 fatalities in the past decade due to fires or burns

Statistic 32

The risk of fire doubles when an electric blanket is older than 10 years

Statistic 33

The average cost of property damage caused by electric blanket fires exceeds $10,000 per incident

Statistic 34

Electric blanket fires are more common in colder regions where blankets are used more intensively, with a 25% higher incidence compared to warmer areas

Statistic 35

The cost of replacing electric blankets annually in the U.S. is estimated at over $50 million due to damages and fires

Statistic 36

Studies indicate that 60% of electric blanket fires could be prevented by proper maintenance and timely replacement

Statistic 37

Properly maintaining electric blankets by turning them off when not in use can reduce fire risk by up to 75%

Statistic 38

Fire departments recommend replacing electric blankets every 10 years to minimize fire risk

Statistic 39

Repairing or replacing damaged wiring in electric blankets can significantly decrease the fire hazard, with some reports indicating up to 80% risk reduction

Statistic 40

Electric blankets with overheating protectors have a 20% lower incidence rate of fires, according to industry studies

Statistic 41

The use of newer electric blankets with safety features reduces overall fire risk by approximately 40% compared to older models

Statistic 42

Electric blanket fire incidents are less frequent in households that implement regular safety checks and proper storage practices, with a reduction of about 55%

Statistic 43

Fire departments recommend washing electric blankets with caution, as improper cleaning can damage wiring and increase fire risk

Statistic 44

Safety standards set by UL restrict electric blanket operating temperatures to reduce fire risk

Statistic 45

Electric blankets manufactured before 2000 are more prone to causing fires due to outdated safety standards

Statistic 46

Reports show that 80% of electric blankets are used improperly, such as being left on overnight, increasing fire risks

Slide 1 of 46

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 5,000 residential fires are caused by electric blankets annually in the United States
Around 150 injuries related to electric blanket fires are reported each year
Electric blankets have been linked to approximately 20 fatalities in the past decade due to fires or burns
The risk of fire doubles when an electric blanket is older than 10 years
Studies indicate that 60% of electric blanket fires could be prevented by proper maintenance and timely replacement
Approximately 70% of electric blanket fires occur during the night when users are asleep
Electric blankets can cause overheating if they are damaged or improperly used, leading to potential fires
40% of electric blanket-related fires involve blankets that are more than 10 years old
Faulty wiring or manufacturing defects account for roughly 25% of electric blanket fire incidents
The use of electric blankets increases the risk of fire by 4 times if they are not maintained properly
Electric blankets are responsible for approximately 8% of all domestic fires during winter months
Over 65% of electric blanket fires start due to improper use, such as folding or crumpling the blanket
A survey found that 55% of electric blanket users are unaware of the risks associated with aging or damaged blankets

Did you know that while electric blankets are designed to keep us warm and cozy, they are responsible for approximately 5,000 residential fires each year in the U.S., highlighting a hidden danger that can be dramatically reduced with proper maintenance and awareness?

Demographics and Risk Factors

A survey found that 55% of electric blanket users are unaware of the risks associated with aging or damaged blankets
Elderly individuals are 3 times more likely to be injured or affected severely by electric blanket fires
Fire risk associated with electric blankets is higher in households with smokers, with a 35% increase compared to non-smoking households
The percentage of electric blanket fires involving older adults over 65 years is approximately 28%, reflecting higher vulnerability

Demographics and Risk Factors Interpretation

Despite their cozy appeal, electric blankets pose a silent threat, especially to seniors and households with smokers, as over a quarter of fires involve those over 65—highlighting the urgent need for awareness before a heated situation turns critical.

Fire Incidents and Causes

Approximately 5,000 residential fires are caused by electric blankets annually in the United States
Approximately 70% of electric blanket fires occur during the night when users are asleep
Electric blankets can cause overheating if they are damaged or improperly used, leading to potential fires
40% of electric blanket-related fires involve blankets that are more than 10 years old
Faulty wiring or manufacturing defects account for roughly 25% of electric blanket fire incidents
The use of electric blankets increases the risk of fire by 4 times if they are not maintained properly
Electric blankets are responsible for approximately 8% of all domestic fires during winter months
Over 65% of electric blanket fires start due to improper use, such as folding or crumpling the blanket
Electric blankets with frayed or damaged cords are 3 times more likely to cause fires
Only about 20% of electric blanket fires are reported to fire authorities, indicating underreporting
Approximately 33% of electric blanket fires occur due to user damage, such as pinching or puncturing the fabric
Electric blankets account for less than 1% of household heating devices but are responsible for a disproportionately higher percentage of related fires
The use of dual-controller electric blankets can increase the risk of fire if not used properly, with 15% of incidents linked to such devices
The integration of auto shut-off features in modern electric blankets has reduced fire incidents by 30%
There has been a 12% increase in electric blanket-related fires during the winter seasons over the last five years
In a study, 22% of electric blanket fires were caused by overheating due to malfunction
50% of electric blanket fires are caused during improper storage, such as folding or crushing, according to fire safety reports
The onset of electric blanket fires is most common during sleep hours, accounting for approximately 65% of cases
Heavy-duty use and misuse can lead to a 2.5 times increase in fire risk with electric blankets
Statistically, electric blanket fires tend to peak in January and February, correlating with higher usage during cold spells
According to fire safety experts, failure to unplug electric blankets after use can increase the fire risk by 50%
15% of electric blanket fires were caused by user negligence, such as folding the blanket or using inappropriate bedding
Electric blankets with built-in timers and auto shut-off features are associated with a 30% decrease in fire incidents
In regions with frequent power surges, electric blankets have a 20% higher fire risk due to electrical faults
Approximately 45% of electric blanket fires involve cords that are frayed or have exposed wires, indicating poor maintenance

Fire Incidents and Causes Interpretation

Despite comprising less than 1% of household heating devices, electric blankets are culpable for a disproportionately high number of fires—particularly during sleep hours and over a decade after purchase—underscoring that neglect and misuse, rather than design flaws, often turn cozy warmth into a deadly hazard.

Injury and Property Damage Statistics

Around 150 injuries related to electric blanket fires are reported each year
Electric blankets have been linked to approximately 20 fatalities in the past decade due to fires or burns
The risk of fire doubles when an electric blanket is older than 10 years
The average cost of property damage caused by electric blanket fires exceeds $10,000 per incident
Electric blanket fires are more common in colder regions where blankets are used more intensively, with a 25% higher incidence compared to warmer areas
The cost of replacing electric blankets annually in the U.S. is estimated at over $50 million due to damages and fires

Injury and Property Damage Statistics Interpretation

While electric blankets promise cozy comfort, their silent risk—culminating in around 150 injuries, 20 fatalities over a decade, and $50 million annual U.S. costs—reminds us that hot spots are better kept off the bed and away from danger.

Preventive Measures and Best Practices

Studies indicate that 60% of electric blanket fires could be prevented by proper maintenance and timely replacement
Properly maintaining electric blankets by turning them off when not in use can reduce fire risk by up to 75%
Fire departments recommend replacing electric blankets every 10 years to minimize fire risk
Repairing or replacing damaged wiring in electric blankets can significantly decrease the fire hazard, with some reports indicating up to 80% risk reduction
Electric blankets with overheating protectors have a 20% lower incidence rate of fires, according to industry studies
The use of newer electric blankets with safety features reduces overall fire risk by approximately 40% compared to older models
Electric blanket fire incidents are less frequent in households that implement regular safety checks and proper storage practices, with a reduction of about 55%
Fire departments recommend washing electric blankets with caution, as improper cleaning can damage wiring and increase fire risk

Preventive Measures and Best Practices Interpretation

While proper maintenance, timely replacement, and adherence to safety practices can significantly slash the odds of electric blanket fires—up to 80% with wiring repairs and 40% with modern safety features—neglecting these precautions leaves households tethered to a cozy danger that’s entirely avoidable.

Safety Standards and Regulations

Safety standards set by UL restrict electric blanket operating temperatures to reduce fire risk
Electric blankets manufactured before 2000 are more prone to causing fires due to outdated safety standards
Reports show that 80% of electric blankets are used improperly, such as being left on overnight, increasing fire risks

Safety Standards and Regulations Interpretation

While UL standards and modern safety awareness aim to keep us warm and safe, outdated electric blankets and improper usage—like leaving them on overnight—still turn cozy nights into potential hot flashes of danger, with 80% of users unknowingly playing with fire.