aking54220
i just bought an electric blanket and told some people that i put it under my fitted sheets (personal pref i guess) these people just about died saying that i was going to ruin it in no time. but this is also from people who dont know that elec blankets now a days are also washable. are they right, will i ruin it if i sleep on top of it??
Answer
I pulled some safety issues about electric blankets from the fire deparmetnt information web site. Half way down it say never lay or sit on an electric blacket for you can damage the blanket coils and cause a fire.
damaged blanket, however, can easily become an ignition source for a fire. Electric blankets that are too hot or kept on one area of the body for too long also pose a real threat for burns. This is especially a concern for infants, the elderly, or anyone who might have difficulty sensing hot temperatures or moving the blanket if it gets too hot.
The City of Fairfax Fire Department offers the following recommendations for using electric blankets safely:
⢠Only use electric blankets that have been approved by nationally recognized testing agencies (like Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.).
⢠Always buy new electric blankets; second-hand blankets may not be safe.
⢠Replace all electric blankets that are more than 10 years old. Most fires caused by electric blankets are caused by those older than 10 years.
⢠Replace any electric blanket that is worn or torn, where the electric cord is frayed, or where the temperature control is damaged.
⢠Turn your electric blanket off when not in use. Many older models have no internal temperature control to shut the blanket off when it gets too hot; if your blanket has no such internal control, consider replacing it with a newer model.
⢠Turn your electric blanket off before you go to sleep (unless the blanket is made specifically to be used all night).
⢠Refrain from using more than one electric blanket (or heating pad) at a time. Do not use electric blankets and heating pads together. The heat generated by the combined appliances can cause serious burns.
⢠Do not plug your electric blanket into an outlet that is controlled by a light switch; the blanket could be switched on accidentally.
⢠Do not pile toys, pillows, blankets, or other materials on top of an electric blanket or tuck electric blankets underneath mattresses or other items; excessive heat may build up to the point where the blanket could ignite.
⢠Do not sit or lay on top of an electric blanket; this may damage the blanketâs internal coils and expose the heating element to combustible fabric.
⢠Never ball up an electric blanket up and leave it on; excessive heat may build up to the point where the blanket could ignite.
⢠Unplug your blanket if you smell smoke or if any scorching is evident; discoloration of the blanket may indicate that it is burning internally.
⢠Never wash an electric blanket; the twisting, tugging, and turning action of the washing machine will damage the internal coils.
⢠Do not dry clean electric blankets; the chemicals used in the cleaning process may damage the heating insulation and increase the risk of fire.
⢠Ideally, electric blankets should be stored flat. If that is not possible, roll it up or fold it with as few creases as possible; be careful when folding the blanket to protect the internal coils.
⢠Replace any blanket where the embedded heating wires have been displaced or damaged. Check by holding the blanket up to light; the wires should be evenly spaced and not touch each other anywhere.
⢠Never use an electric blanket that is wet; do not turn an electric blanket on to dry it out. Refrain from using electric blankets and hot water bottles together.
If you have any doubt about the safety of your electric blanket, discontinue using it. It can still be used as a regular blanket, without plugging it in.
US Airways travel with infant?
robin s
I will be flying from San Diego to Grand Junction Colorado with my 3 month old daughter. I have a few questions, I will just list them, and if you have answers or advice for any, please share:
Can I bring my stroller and is that considered a carry on?
I cannot breast feed and have to pump every six hours, can I bring my medela electric pump on the plane or do I have to check it..and if I check it, will it be safe from damage?
My car seat comes with the carseat base..can I bring that?
I paid for her to have her own seat, does that she means she can have carry on's and checked luggage as well?
Will somebody help me to get to the next flight after the layover?
Anything else I should know?
Answer
You can take the stroller to the gate and it will be gate checked. Then you will be able to collect it as soon as you get off the plane. It may take a while to get there, so no need to rush off the plane. The stroller will not be counted as a carry on item.
I do not see any reason why you cannot take your pump on the plane. If you do check it, make sure it is well padded and it should be ok.
If you paid for a seat for your daughter you need to take the car seat base on since you will fix the seat in the same way as you do in the car. Remember that when the car seat base is attached to the car seat, it is a lot heavier than when you are just carrying the car seat by itself.
Your daughter gets the same luggage allowance as you since you paid for her seat. I would try to keep your carry on to one since that is all you will be able to manage with the car seat!
Do not rely on someone to help you get to your next flight, even if the airline say this is possible. We booked a wheelchair for my father-in-law one time and when he got there he was told that there was no one available to help him!! You need to only take enough pieces of luggage that you can do it by yourself. Push the stroller with one hand, pull a roll-along bag with the other and have a back-pack diaper bag. You need to find a way of either fitting the car seat base in the basket under your stroller, ot attaching it (with bungy cords or similar) to the stroller.
When I travelled with my children at this age, I used the Baby Trend Snap'N'Go infant seat carrier and I could balance the car seat base on top of the basket. I think I used the latch system belt to keep it on there!
You did the right thing getting a seat for your daughter. It is safer for her and more comfortable for both of you. Make sure her car seat says on it that it is FAA approved and put it in the plane rear facing the same as it is in the car. You will need to make sure that you have a window seat for her (so you don't block anyone else's exit) If you can get a bulk head seat that is the best, if not then unfortunately the person in front of her will not be able to put their seat back, on a short flight this should not be a problem. Just stand your ground if the person complains, your daughters safety is more important than that persons comfort!
Try to get your daughter to take a bottle during take-off and landing, although if she is asleep don't wake her to do it! They are also the most important times for her to be strapped in her seat. Since she is facing backwards, you will be able to see her and interact with her well. Take a few of her favorite toys to play with when she is awake.
Other than carrying the car seat (and bottles etc) this is probably the easiest time to travel with a baby. I am just about to do a 10 hour flight with my 2 children aged 18 months and nearly 3 years! I have managed to devise a way that I can carry 2 car seats and everything else by myself, just in case I do not get any help!
Good luck!!
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