An electric blanket is one of the must have home appliances when the night time temperatures begin to fall. Most modern blankets have no issues with their safety or resilience. The main criteria to use when shopping for an electric blanket is the features and the price. Pricing varies enormously, from less than $30 for a basic blanket to more than $500 for one including features like automatic temperature adjustment, twin heating controls with LCD display and a wool-pile cover.

The basic things to look for in an electric blanket include:

Thickness: It should be thick enough that you cannot feel the heating element inside the material.

Control Markings: If you want to change the settings at night look for one with raised markings, or an LCD screen. These features allow you to more easily identify and change the settings when it is dark.

Fitted Blanket: A fitted blanket stays flat on your mattress and is easier to put on and take off.

Overheating Protection: This automatically switches the blanket off if the temperature gets too hot.

Advanced features in more expensive models include:

Warm Foot Zone: Have a slightly higher temperature foot area for people whose feet get colder than normal.

Twin (Dual) Controls: These allow the temperature on each side of the bed to be controlled independently.

Waterproofing: Have a waterproof lining that stops moisture from reaching the heat elements.

Removable Controls: This feature enables the blanket to be washed safely and easily.

Electric blankets can be a safety hazard, because there is always danger when electricity is involved. Blankets should be tested before use. To do this lay out the blanket on your bed, plug it in and switch it on for five to ten minutes. Then do a visual inspection and feel the blanket carefully. Make sure the heat is even and that there are no protruding wires or sharp edges.

Here are some other tips for safe usage:

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.

• It should not be wider than the mattress it is fitted on.

• Don't leave it switched on all night.

• Don't switch the blanket on when there is something on the bed. This can lead to localised overheating.

• Don't wash unless the manufacturer expressly states that you can do so.

• When storing during summer roll it around a cylinder, or fold tidily but not tightly.