Hey y’all!

If you’re sure you’ll shiver if you turn your thermostat down at night (OK, maybe not just yet!), your bed might need a boost.

Don't trust an older electric blanket to warm you safely. Buy a new one with built-in safety features.

Throw an electric blanket or mattress pad on your bed so you can reap the savings—about 3 percent on your energy bill for each degree you lower the thermostat—without feeling cold.

First, dig your grandmother’s heated blanket out from the back of the closet—and throw it away. Newer models have better warming technology and built-in safety features, and they come in hip fabrics, textures and colors.

Most new electric blankets come with temperature sensors that automatically warm the coldest parts of your body, and they prevent the blanket from overheating. Electric blankets and mattress pads are less bulky than they were in the past, and their wires are hidden.

When you buy electric bedding, look for a label from a trusted product safety testing organization like Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Don’t leave the bedding on overnight unless it is specifically designed for it. Instead, turn your blanket or pad on about 20 minutes before bed and turn it off when you get in.

Electric blankets can burn the sensitive skin of the elderly and infants, so never leave the devices unattended with the heat on. Buy a product with an auto-off feature, and check it for defects or damage before plugging it in. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old are a fire hazard; do not use them.

I’ll be talking about preventing fires on the Rosie on the House show on Saturday. Tune in to KNST from 8-11 a.m.

’Til next time, pass yourself a good dose of joie de vivre!

Next blog: Space heater safety