Tesco's popular £17.99 home item to stay warm on a budget this winter

One item that costs less than £20 from Tesco can keep you warm this winter without breaking the bank. From freestanding heating units to hot water bottles and thermal leggings, numerous options are available for anyone struggling with the cold this winter.

Supermarket Tesco is among those offering a solution to the cold, with their budget-friendly take on the electric blanket setting you back just £17.99. Sold by Oypla.com through the Tesco marketplace, this comforting blanket costs as little as 1p an hour to run, keeping you warm without breaking the bank. And if you order this now, it'll arrive in time to keep you warm while opening presents on Christmas Day.

The blanket is perfect for keeping warm on the sofa, and is made to fit a single bed. For those looking for something bigger, a double-sized heating blanket is just slightly more expensive at £21.99, while a king-size is £26.99.

Alongside being cheaper and more cost-effective than turning on your central heating, there are a number of other benefits that come with using an electric blanket.

The experts at hygienesuppliesdirect.com, have highlighted that these blankets can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from arthritis, sciatica, or any other aches and pains.

They can also boost or mood, and help you sleep better, with the experts explaining: "Electric blankets keep your body at a cosy, consistent temperature, which helps it to naturally progress through the stages of sleep as it should.

"When you start using an electric blanket through the night, you might notice you've got more energy and are more productive in a morning!"

However,they don't come without their risks, with Bed and Mattress Expert at Land of Beds, Judith Ackers, warning: " We get asked about electric blankets all the time at this time of year.

"People want to know if they're safe to leave on overnight, whether they'll ruin their mattress, and if they actually help you sleep better. The short answer is: it depends on how you use them."

Leaving a heated blanket on overnight will increase your risk of overheating or dehydration. And in rare cases, users have reported burns or electrical faults.

While modern electric blankets are safer than older models, research reports that around 5,000 house fires in the UK each year involve electric blankets, often due to misuse.

Judith warns: "If you really want to keep it on overnight, make sure it's on the absolute lowest heat setting and that it's a newer model with proper safety features."