Nottinghamshire Trading Standards is urging the public to make sure their electric blankets are free of potentially dangerous wear and tear after discovering 60% of electric blankets tested at events in the county were unsafe.
The initiative follows a series of fatal house fires in the county caused by defective electric blankets.
Some of the items tested were more than 50 years old (image credit: Nottinghamshire Trading Standards)
In partnership with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards organised three events in Cotgrave, Newark and Retford where local residents were encouraged to bring their electric blankets along for testing.
A total of 282 electric blankets were tested and 170 failed, with some being found to be more than 50 years old. Residents whose blankets failed the testing were given brand new replacements for free.
Safety advice suggests that electric blankets should be replaced every 10 years, and people who own electric blankets are advised to check for signs of scorch marks, fraying fabric, exposed elements and loose connections or worn flexes, creasing or folding, soiling or damp patches, and missing or damaged tie tapes. The presence of the old BEAB safety mark (a round symbol) also indicates that the product is more than 10 years old.
Electric blankets displaying any of the warning signs should be disposed of at household waste and recycling centres rather than in the general waste bin.
Councillor Gordon Wheeler, Deputy Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “These figures show the reality that we have potentially stopped a number of fires due to unsafe electric blankets in Nottinghamshire.
“However, while the figures offer a sense of relief that these blankets are now longer being used, we know that this is just the tip of the iceberg as there will be other Nottinghamshire residents who use electric blankets who may have an item in the same or worse condition. If you or someone you know owns and uses an electric blanket, don’t delay spending just a few minutes checking it for the key signs of wear.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service for their support in offering these three events.
“Sadly, over the last few years we have seen a number of fatal house fires in Nottinghamshire caused by electric blankets, so remember, it only takes a few minutes to check yours or to book an appointment to come along and get it tested.”
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager, Natasha Neale, commented: “Electric blankets can pose a significant fire risk due to their potential of overheating, frayed wires, or loose connections. We always recommend that you replace it after 10 years, or if it becomes faulty, to minimise the fire risks within your home.
“These events were also a great opportunity for us to meet vulnerable residents of Nottinghamshire, and to give them vital fire safety information. We generated over 50 Safe and Well Visits, meaning we could promote our fire safety agenda and ensure residents across the county have working smoke alarms in their properties.”
A further testing event, in partnership with the charity Electrical Safety First, will be held on 2 December at Ashfield Library.
