Heating Pad Safety Awareness

Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of injury and death from burns, electric shocks, and fires associated with the use of electric heating pads? Heating pad fires can occur when broken or worn insulation of the electric wires in the heating pad causes the pad to ignite or when the electrical cords are cracked or frayed. There have also been reports of people falling asleep on the heating pad and developing bad burns that can get infected. Some newer models of heating pads have automatic shut-offs. A general guide is to check the skin every 20 minutes.

Precautions for Heating Pad Use

NEVER

• Never use a heating pad on an infant or on a person who is paralyzed.
• Never use on a sleeping or unconscious person or in an oxygen enriched environment or near equipment that stores or emits oxygen.
• Never sit on or against a heating pad or crush/fold a heating pad while it is being stored or used.
• Never unplug a heating pad by pulling its cord.
• Never use metal pins to hold a heating pad in place.

ALWAYS

• Always inspect heating pad before each use to make sure it is working properly; discard if it looks worn or cracked or if the cord looks frayed.
• Always keep removable cover on pad during use.
• Always place heating pad on top of the body part in need of heat. (Temperature of a heating pad increases if heat is trapped.)
• Always unplug heating pad when not in use.
• Always read and follow all of the manufacturers’ instructions about the heating pad prior to using.

Have more questions about heating pad saftey? Visit the following website: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/071207-heatingpads-qa.html