Journalist cites safety risks and poor housing design in Canberra winter heating debate

Journalist Brigid Delaney has published a reflection in The Guardian detailing the physical risks associated with electric blankets and the challenges of enduring Canberra’s harsh winters. The article contrasts the safety hazards of electric heating devices with the effectiveness of flannel bedding, while highlighting concerns regarding the quality of housing stock in the capital.

Delaney recounts a childhood incident in which she was electrocuted after plugging in an electric blanket for her grandmother, describing the sensation as a "nasty current" running through her body. She notes that despite significant technological advancements, many Australians continue to rely on electric blankets and hot water bottles as their primary source of night-time heating.

The author describes receiving advice from a veteran journalist at Parliament House in 2022 to utilise flannel sheets and pyjamas to survive the city’s cold. This recommendation came after Delaney was warned that Canberra’s dry, brittle cold was distinct from other Australian cities, with colleagues suggesting that exposure could lead to severe physical discomfort.

Delaney details her experience living in a two-star energy-rated apartment, where she initially found flannel insufficient. She subsequently purchased an electric blanket, which she describes as providing immediate relief. However, she reports a recent incident where she woke at 1am partially burnt and frozen after leaving the blanket on a high setting, unable to turn it off due to the cord's distance.

The article concludes that flannel remains the superior solution for winter comfort, citing the dangers of combining electric heating with water-based devices. Delaney suggests that the reliance on such outdated methods persists despite the availability of modern technology, pointing to issues with poorly designed housing that fails to retain heat effectively.