The invention relates to a thermal switching device, particularly a temperature controller, temperature limiter, temperature monitor or temperature fuse for connecting to an object of use with a heating device such that thermal contact is established, comprising a thermally-conductive, preferably planar, carrier (2) by means of which said switching device (1) can be brought into thermal contact with said object of use, a functional element which reacts to heat, preferably a bimetallic element (21) or melting element (24), for ensuring a temperature-dependent switching functionality for said thermal switching device (1), as well as connection contacts (4) for connecting the thermal switching device (1) to an electrical wiring section, said carrier (2) being able to be connected to the thermally-contacted object of use by means of laser welding. In order to solve the problem of providing a novel thermal switching device of the aforementioned type which ensures improved safety when operating the thermal switching device, it is suggested that said carrier (2) comprises a region (8) especially prepared for coupling in a laser beam (10), such that said region (8) has a contour which tapers the cross-section of the carrier (2). The invention also relates to a heating arrangement that uses a thermal switching device of the claimed type, and a method for securing a thermal switching device to the surface of a heating device of an object of use by means of laser welding.