Why pay a few bucks a day to heat your home at night when you can spend pennies and still keep warm with an electric blanket? Advantages of owning electric heated blankets include saving money on heating your home, if you use one on your bed you don't have to crawl into a freezing bed, you can stay warm all night no matter how cold the room is, and you save energy!

If you will be buying any heated blankets this season, you should be aware of heated blanket safety guidelines. Those are:

• of course, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully
• don't buy second-hand; you have no way of knowing if they're safe
• never use the blanket if it's wet or creased
• don't wash it unless the manufacturer says it's okay to do so
• check the plug cord periodically for any signs of wear or damage
• have an expert check your electric blanket every 3 years to make sure it's working properly and is safe to use

Fall is here and chilly weather is right around the corner! What better way to be cozy at home than a soft heated blanket? Consider giving someone special an electric heated blanket as a Christmas or holiday gift - or for any occasion; who wouldn't love this "warm" gift!  Check out some great heated blankets here:

• Cuddle up anywhere in your house with this Sunbeam Camelot Microplush heated throw - in beautiful pink in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This blanket that senses how you feel over many zones of your body and then adjusts to deliver warmth precisely where and when you need it. This blanket measures 50" x 60".
• The Sunbeam Imperial Nights has a digital control with 10 warming settings so you can customize your comfort. It is available in Twin, Full, and King size. Another great feature of this blanket is the 10 hour auto-off safety feature.
• The Sunbeam Herringbone Camelot Dreams warming blanket in seashell off-white is available in Twin, Full, and Queen sizes. The color of this blanket is a lovely neutral tone that's sure to match almost any decor. Like the Imperial Nights above, it has a digital control with 10 heat settings and an auto-off feature.
• The Sunbeam Throw Camelot Cuddlerin Ivy Green (also available in mushroom beige and walnut brown) is constructed of incredibly soft microplush fabric that can be machine washed and dried. It has 3 warming settings and a 3-hour automatic shut-off.
• This PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleeper - available in mini, small, medium, and large - is made of orthopedic foam and has a detachable, chew-resistant cord (with a safe 12-volt power adapter.) It provides low-level therapeutic heat and the cover is removable and machine washable. Your pet deserves a warm bed, too, right?
• The Westpoint Stevens Dual Control Heated Mattress Pad is available in Queen, King, and California King. Dual controls let two sleepers tailor the sides of the bed to different tastes, while the zone design creates gentle warmth around the torso and extra heat at the feet. It has a 10-hour auto off feature for safety. Fits mattresses up to 12" deep, and it's machine washable and dryable.