Is it safe to sleep with an electric fan? You might want to think twice, according to experts

Getting a good night's sleep is not a picnic in the middle of a heat wave. Is it just me or is the hot, sweaty weather turning everything into an Olympic sport rather than a comfortable respite? Not cool (pun). Many people tend to stick on a fan to give their bodies a semblance of fresh air when the weather comes up like that – but what about the night? Is it safe to sleep with an electric fan?

Yes and no. Obviously there are more pros and cons, but the disadvantages can be downright dangerous if you do not check that your fan is working properly, that it has been tested by the manufacturer and that you have it installed in a safe environment. . You do not really want your fan setting to turn on while you sleep, because you will not only have a delayed reaction time to this fire, but you will be more likely to smoke by being already unconscious.

Fortunately for me, my father, Steve McEvoy, is a licensed engineer for his own company, Prism Nova, and has a very good knowledge of all electrical aspects – especially in terms of safety. "In the United Kingdom and Europe, [safety testing] is confirmed by a" CE marking "on the product or its packaging," he explains. "The CE mark means that the product has been tested safely against stringent international standards and that it is safe for us at home." It's easy enough to check, right?

"Unfortunately, there are many fake products on the market […] CE marks can be as false as the good ones themselves." And even if your fan is legitimate, you should always use caution when using an electrical appliance, as the products may contain manufacturing defects that could cause safety problems, he says.

To make sure your fan – and other electrical appliances – around your house are safe, "check regularly that the plug and cable are in good condition, especially make sure that the cable is not not frayed, cracked or excessively twisted "And when it comes to fans, immediately stop using them if it starts to" make unusual noises or if you can feel or see the effects of heat, smoke, burns or burns anywhere. "

Sleeping with a ventilator can cause adverse effects on your overall health, if you use it in the wrong way and without special attention.

As strange as it may sound, fans can cause dehydration if aimed directly at the body. According to Public Health England, "fans can cause excessive dehydration, so they should not be directed directly at the body." This is mainly when the temperatures reach more than 35 degrees Celsius, because the air blown on your skin does not evaporate your sweat (which cools you), which makes you sweat even more, resulting in an excessive loss of liquid.

Dehydration caused by ventilators can be particularly harmful when you sleep because you are fasting for eight hours; but it is unlikely that temperatures in the UK will exceed 25 degrees overnight.

Sudden loss of direct air liquid can also affect your skin, especially if it is noticeable. Not only can fans cause dry skin and minor irritation due to lack of moisture, but they can also affect your sinuses, eyes, and muscles as Sleep Advisor . It's all to do with this "constant stream of air", especially if you're like me and prefer that your fan stays in one direction rather than flowing.

If you are one of the few who sleeps one way or another with partially open eyes, "a steady stream of air will dry your eyes and can cause major irritation. " This irritation can continue in your sinuses and dry your nasal passages, making you "more susceptible to blockage, congestion and sinus headaches." Not the best way to wake up in the morning, is not it?

With this current of air, your muscles can react by contracting and clinging through the cool concentrated air, although this is more likely to happen if the fan is placed directly near the face and neck,

Then, there are these blessings blessed: the summer is not good for people who suffer from hay fever (believe me, I know), and the fans do not do much to help you. rid of excess pollen to regularly changing sheets and clothes, fans can actually make this job ten times worse because they can cause "dust dust and pollen in the sinuses", Sleep Advisor reported

There are other – safer – ways to stay cool at night. Personally, I make sure that my windows are open, that I take a cool shower before jumping into a bed without a comforter and that I put a flannel that I cool with water tap and that I leave in the freezer for ten minutes. The National Sleep Foundation also has some tips for staying cool during the night in its heat wave plan that you can read here.

It's not that hard to stay cool during those morose nights, just get ready.