When a heatwave kicks in, the tower fans come out. It’s the best way to cool down, especially at night when you can’t sleep...anybody else hates that sticking to the duvet feeling?
So can you leave a tower fan on overnight?
The good news is that you can, though there are a few points you should consider before you do. You ought to ensure that your fan is working properly. It should be safety tested by the manufacturer and only set up a tower fan in an environment that is suitable and safe.
One of the biggest risks associated with sleeping with a tower fan switched on is the potential fire hazard that comes with it.
With any electrical appliance, there is the risk that it will become too hot and catch fire. Obviously, this is dangerous at any point but particularly dangerous when you’re asleep as the fire can develop before you are aware of it.
Also, your reaction times are slower and slower down even further by the fact that you’re more susceptible to smoke inhalation when you’re already unconscious.
Before using your tower fan you should make sure that it’s safe for use and you should check it regularly after that.
Want to know where to start with that?
Check out the CE mark, you should find this on the fan itself or sometimes on the packaging. The mark confirms that the fan has been safety tested against international standards and is safe to be used in a home.
This doesn’t leave you home and dry, unfortunately.
There has been an increase in fake goods, which displays the CE mark and they can be convincing. In other words, you’re going to need to do your homework to ensure that the tower fan is legitimate. To be honest, this goes for any electrical product you bring into your home!
So now you’re certain your tower fan is CE certified, you shouldn’t drop your guard down. It’s best to always remain cautious. Defects can happen and they can cause safety issues.
I would recommend that you check that the plug and cable are in good condition and showing no signs of wear. You should particularly make sure that the cable isn’t frayed, split, or twisted.
This one is tricky when you’re asleep - which is why it’s important to check your tower fan often but you should stop using your fan straight away if you notice any unusual noises from it or it starts to produce a burning smell or looks like something is burning inside.
It’s super tempting to sleep with a fan switched on overnight, but are there any risks attached to it that we should be aware of?
For those hayfever or asthma sufferers *holds own hand up*, that nice breeze that is keeping you less sweaty is causing the pollen and dust to circulate the room. This can build up in your sinuses and sometimes trigger asthma or other allergies.
One thing I’ve found that helps is to take my anti-allergy tablet on the night before I go to sleep. Not only does it mean I get a good night’s sleep, but it also means I protected from the pollen and other nasty hayfever things from the moment I wake up. Not saying it’ll work for you but could be worth a shot!
The thing I haven’t found a solution for is how a tower fan drys out your skin. It comes down to the constant regurgitated air. It’s also likely to dry your throat out and sometimes even your eyes.
I moisturize in the morning and night (yes I am a sucker for those “night cream” and “day cream” adverts) and that seems to help. Aside from drinking water when you wake up, I have no solution for your throat!
The problem with this dried-out state is that can irritate your sinus too. Your body will try and produce more mucus and this can cause you to wake up with a blocked nose, and even a headache.
Sleeping with a fan on is all well and good but some tower fans can be noisy. Need a quiet one? Might be worth checking this out!
Tower fans will cool a room down to some degree but they do a much better job at lowering your body temperature as the air moves over your skin.
So if you’re thinking about leaving a tower fan on overnight in an empty room, there’s little point.
It’s also worth factoring in any additional cost there is when having a tower fan on overnight. For an in-depth look at that, you might want to take a look here!
To conclude, there is nothing wrong with keeping a tower fan on overnight - providing you follow the right safety measures!
Having said that, I’m not sure how much good it will ultimately do but it can make you feel a lot better, and sometimes, that’s what it’s all about!
