Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Having been a health-care provider for 30+ years, I have seen many heating pads in hospital and home settings over the years. This one is extremely well made and sturdy. It is large and has an easy to read and operate control switch. I am sure it will last for years. The issue that concerns me is that it has a lowest possible setting of 113 degrees and can be set at 166 degrees for up to an hour. That is very very hot. As a public health measure, people are encouraged to lower the heat of the water in their water heater to no more than120 degrees so children and frail adults don't get burnt. I use this heating pad on the lowest setting and place it over a sweatshirt hoodie to ensure I don't get burnt. If the heat setting is increased over the 113 degree setting, it is dangerously hot even when I am fully clothed in heavyweight sweats. My skin becomes dark pink and hot to the touch. I don't understand why this device has such high heat settings! There is a great potential that someone might get burnt if he or she is tired, medicated, distracted, in pain or lacks an intact nervous system. I can't think of a single situation where 160 degree heat is necessary. This is an accident waiting to happen. I only ordered this device because it was well made and sturdy. My previous heating pad had settings that ranged from Warm to Hot with no degrees of temp associated with the settings. I didn't realize how hot 113 degrees actually is against skin.