Why do all heating pads catch on fire? Need recommendation

I have yet to ever have one catch on fire. But the one I have has a self timer and turns off after 2 hours. I use it a lot for my lower back.

This is the one I have.


www.walmart.com/ip/Sunbeam-XpressHeat-XL-Heating-Pad/22046341?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228016116086&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40754039792&wl4=pla-78605604632&wl5=9026542&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=22046341&wl13=&veh=sem

Oh looks like it’s also the second one you linked.

We also have two Sunbeam pads and have never had any issues. One is over ten years old and the other about four years. Both came from Wal-Mart.

I have the first one you linked, the extra large one. Love it! It has an option to stay on and the usual auto off feature. I've never had a heating pad catch fire. I use mine constantly for joint pain as well. I even recently bought one that's a shawl. It's like a comfortable warm hug around my shoulders and neck. Love that one, too! It does auto turn off after a few hours of use. The next one I need to get is the Comfy Toes pad you put at the end of your bed for those nights your feet are freezing cold and your husband's back isn't enough to get them defrosted. 😄

Here's a link for the shawl style heating pad:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FHW8WKQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Honestly, I don't even give it a thought.  I know that rarely heating pads catch fire, but it isn't enough to stop me from using one.  

I'm cold natured and in the winter I often heat my bed with a heating pad.  I also like to sleep with my feet on it in bed.  

I have no idea of what kind mine is or how old.  

I've used heating pads off and on all my life for arthritis pain. I've never had one catch on fire or heard of one catching on fire. My current one is a Conair I bought from Bed Bath and Beyond. It's larger than I like but that is my only complaint.

that's what I use also

I use Battle Creek Thermaphores. I use them for my massage clients (about every RMT I know uses this brand) so they are in use for 8 hours a day and haven't caught fire yet. I like them because they provide a very effective penetrating heat. I have had mine for 12 years so far, but have never come across a better one.

I think if you get one with an auto shut-off you should be fine.  Most are, but also be sure that it is UL (Underwriters Laboratory) tested/certified.  A neighbor of my mother's had her heating pad start smoking. She had back surgery and was on the sofa and fell asleep. The heating pad fell in the floor and after awhile it started smoking. Thankfully her husband walked in and saw it. What they were told is that the pads can't breath, so when they fall on the floor and crumple up/ fold over that the heat builds up and can't escape, thus reaching a temp high enough to catch fire. If you have the auto shut-off, that should prevent heat building up, should it get left one in a position other than being flat with circulation. Best of luck with your surgery. 

Going to have to check out some of these pads!

Wow, I’ve had several heating pads and never had one catch on fire!! My last two are heating pads with massage. My chiropractor doesn’t want me using the heat anymore so I only use the massage. All of mine also have/had auto shuff off.

With stories like that, I tend to imagine there's some kind of misuse or user error involved.

Sunbeam. I have never had one catch on fire.

I have that PureRelief one. Been using it over a year and haven't had any issues. Use it every night before bed.

I've never had one catch fire!