Hey Msl-
I just wanted to tell you about the most fabulous invention ever! I have a heat pad that not only has five different heat settings, but it turns off automatically after 20 minutes! It's the best. I can put it on as I'm going to sleep and not worry about it at all. Check out amazon.com and see if you can find one that specifies that it has this capability. I think I got mine at CVS or Walgreens. (I actually have two- one at my place and one at my boyfriend's, so that I am never without one!)

Lynns