Electric blanket, turn it off 'at this time' to sleep soundly through the night without waking up

To get a good night's sleep, it's best to turn off the electric blanket just before falling asleep.

'Temperature' is an important factor to consider for quality sleep. To achieve deep sleep, the core body temperature must drop by 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to normal. According to a study by Professor Matthew Walker's team at the University of California, California, if the core body temperature remains high, the brain cannot transition into sleep and instead repeats shallow sleep. Professor Kang Seung-geol of the Department of Psychiatry at Gachon Gil Medical Center said, "Even if the temperature is low, sleeping with an electric blanket turned on prevents the body temperature from dropping, which can interfere with restful sleep," and added, "Especially during REM sleep, it can cause awakening, leading to waking up in the early morning." The body actively regulates temperature to maintain sleep, which may also cause excessive sweating and dehydration.

Electromagnetic waves emitted from electric blankets also interfere with sleep. According to Professor Kim Yoon-shin's team at Hanyang University, even a magnetic field of 2mG or higher affects the body's circadian rhythm and immune system, increasing melatonin secretion. When a magnetic field of 20mG or higher is present, the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol increases, and heart rate variability during sleep is elevated. The Ministry of Environment recommends using products that have received the 'Electromagnetic Field Environment Certification (EMF)', which indicates an electromagnetic field usage standard of 2mG or less.

It is not to say that you should never turn on the electric blanket at all. Timing is important; turning it off just before falling asleep can actually help promote restful sleep. Professor Choi Ji-ho of the Otolaryngology Department at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital explains, "When body temperature rises and blood vessels dilate, heat dissipation occurs effectively, causing body temperature to drop and allowing for quick onset of deep sleep." He advises adjusting the indoor temperature to a level that is not too cold, then turning off the electric blanket before sleeping to prevent sudden temperature changes. It is also recommended not to set the electric blanket to a temperature above 40°C before sleep, as this can cause low-temperature burns. Unlike regular burns, low-temperature burns caused by electric blankets often do not cause immediate pain, which can lead to more severe damage. Over 80% of patients seeking treatment for low-temperature burns from electric blankets have damage extending to the dermis beneath the epidermis, often requiring skin graft surgery.

Meanwhile, since electric blankets are electrical appliances, quality and safety management are important. The Korea Consumer Agency recommends selecting products with KC marks and safety certification numbers when purchasing electric blankets, verifying whether the manufacturer or seller provides proper after-sales service, unplugging the power cord or turning off the switch when not in use, rolling up the blanket for storage to prevent damage to the heating wire, and not stacking heavy objects on top of the electric blanket.

<Source: Health Chosun>