Electric blanket safety checks reveal 38% failure rate.
The free testing events, held earlier this month, invited residents to bring electric blankets, heated pads and electric throws for professional safety checks carried out by specialist electricians.
Faulty electric blankets can pose a serious fire risk, typically due to frayed fabric or damaged wires, leading to overheating. To help keep residents safe, the city council provided free replacement blankets for people with items that failed to meet the safety standards.
Visitors also had the opportunity to speak to the city council’s trading standards team and learn about protecting themselves against rogue traders and other scams.
As the colder weather approaches, the city council is urging residents who use electric blankets to check them for signs of wear or damage, such as exposed wires, displaced heating elements or worn cords. Blankets should never be used when damp, and as a precaution should be replaced after ten years. Regular professional testing is recommended every few years. Residents are also advised to only buy electric blankets from reputable manufacturers and avoid informal sellers offering heavily discounted items, especially opportunistic sales in unexpected places like car parks, as these products are unlikely to meet safety standards and could lead to fire or burns.
“We’re grateful to everyone who came along to the events and to the staff who made these inspections possible. Safety is our top priority and we encourage residents to check their blankets and stay warm safely this winter.”
Cllr Legg also visited a Sheltered Housing scheme to donate the leftover blankets, making sure they went to good use.
