Brookstone Heated Blanket

Get the Brookstone Cozy Heated Plush Throw if you want a throw for the couch or the foot of the bed. It has four heat settings, a four-hour auto shut-off and an ETL certification. If you want more length, the Pursonic throw Brookstone lists measures 62x84 inches and shuts off after eight hours. Keep both away from a dog. If you have diabetes, reduced feeling in your skin or a pacemaker, ask your doctor before you plug either one in. If you are not set on Brookstone, the best electric blanket page is the place to compare other brands.

Is a Heated Blanket Safe for a Dog?

No. A heated throw made for people can cause burns, especially on sleeping pets who don't wake fast enough, and VCA says burns are most likely in elderly, arthritic or ill pets that sleep deeply. Dogs also chew cords. If your dog has arthritis, ask your vet what kind of warmth suits it, and keep the Brookstone throw for yourself.

Pick the branch that matches your home:

• You want a throw for the couch or the foot of the bed: get the Cozy Heated Plush Throw. It's 50 by 60 inches.
• You want a bigger throw, a longer run time or a 20-foot cord: get the Pursonic microplush heated throw that Brookstone lists. It's 62x84 inches, with a detachable controller for machine washing. If the listing shows it sold out, the Cozy throw is the pick.
• A dog sleeps where the blanket would go: don't buy a heated blanket for the dog. Ask your vet about options made for pets.
• You need heat in a car or at a campsite with no outlet: no Brookstone throw fits, because they plug into 110-120 volt household outlets. The next section covers 12V.
• The blanket is for an infant or young child: skip electric blankets. UL's article says they aren't recommended for infants or young children.
• You or the user has diabetes, reduced heat sensation or a pacemaker: ask your doctor first. The medical section below covers what the makers and pacemaker sources say.

Once you've picked, the next question is whether it shuts itself off.

Is There a 12V Camping Electric Blanket Available?

Yes, but not from Brookstone. Its throws plug into 110-120 volt household outlets, so run them only from one. For a car or campsite, buy a 12V DC blanket instead. The BougeRV 12V portable heated blanket is rated at 0-48W, measures 50 by 70 inches and plugs into a cigarette lighter. The heating elements sit in the center third, so it suits one person.

A 12V blanket also saves power. Bluetti says an AC blanket on an inverter loses 15-20% to conversion, while a 12V DC blanket on a power station's DC port avoids that loss. Back at an outlet, the next question is shut-off behavior.

Does Brookstone Heated Blanket Turn Off Automatically?

Yes. The Cozy throw shuts off after four hours, and the Pursonic throw shuts off after eight hours of continuous use. If your throw won't turn on, unplug it and check for worn areas, loose plugs, cracks in the wiring and charred spots on both sides. UL's article, citing the Maine State Fire Marshal, says to throw out damaged blankets. Don't open the controller or repair the cord yourself. If you didn't buy it on Brookstone.com, return it to the retailer with the receipt and refer to the instruction manual for warranty claims.

Sources differ on sleeping with a blanket on. UL's article quotes burn director Derek E. Bell advising you to switch the blanket on about half an hour before bed and switch it off before getting in. The Home & Comfort manual says to use the lowest setting for prolonged use or while sleeping. The HEMA manual says to set L or 1 for sleeping or long use. Follow the manual for your own blanket.

Some readers should settle a health question before using any blanket.

Can You Use an Electric Blanket If You Have Diabetes?

That's a question for your doctor. The makers' warnings explain why it comes up. UL says people with diabetes are more vulnerable to burns. Sunbeam's guides warn against use by people insensitive to heat or unable to react to overheating. Electrical Safety First recommends against an electric blanket on the bed of anyone who may be insensitive to heat.

If you have a pacemaker, the sources disagree. Boston Scientific, a pacemaker maker, lists electric blankets as safe when they're in good working condition and used as intended, and gives no distance. The British Heart Foundation gives a recommended distance of 15cm, about 6 inches, from the pacemaker. Your doctor or cardiologist and the maker of your device decide which applies to you.

For a blanket that is flashing, the steps differ.

Brookstone Heated Blanket Blinking

Stop using it, unplug it and look it over for damage. That applies if your Brookstone controller is flashing a red light or the blanket isn't working. Follow the manual that came with your throw for what the light means.

Owner troubleshooting ends there. Don't make internal adjustments to the controller or the wiring. Sunbeam's warranty says repairing a unit yourself voids it.

Brookstone Heated Blanket Instructions

Plug the Cozy throw into a standard 110-120 volt outlet, then press the one-touch button on the built-in controller to set one of the four heat levels. Lay the throw flat with no folds. UL says a folded blanket in use can damage the internal wires, so roll it for storage. Don't put bedding or anything else on top of it.

Switch it off and unplug it when you're done. Don't use it with a heating pad. Wash it as the care label says. It is machine washable and dryer safe.