Dangerous electric blankets found in testing blitz
Friday, 23rd September 2011.
More than 60 highly dangerous electric blankets from across Suffolk, including Haverhill, have failed safety checks by fire and rescue service and county's trading standards.
With help and support from Age UK and the Electrical Safety Council, nearly 350 blankets were tested between September 5 and 14 across Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill.
Owners of failed electric blankets were given replacements to ensure they stayed warm and safe this winter.
In the last ten years Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Suffolk Trading Standards have tested over 4,000 electric blankets. Of those tested almost half were found to be potentially lethal and were destroyed.
Cllr Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “Appliances which are not maintained could easily start a fire, destroy homes and cost lives.
"Electric blankets are the cause of over 1,000 fires in the UK every year and some have resulted in deaths. This year’s campaign has prevented more than 60 potentially devastating house fires.
“However I want to stress that there are still old electric blankets in homes across Suffolk which may not be safe for use and I would urge anyone concerned to contact the fire and rescue service immediately to organise a Safer Home Visit.”
Blankets should be tested routinely every three years and should not be used at all if they show any of the following tell-tale danger signs:
Fraying fabric
Scorch marks
Exposed elements
Creasing or folding
Damp patches
Tie tapes damaged or missing
Worn flex
Loose connections
The BEAB (British Electrotechnical Approvals Board) safety mark must also be checked to ensure it is up to date. The old mark, which means the blanket is more than ten years old, is a round symbol. The new sign shows white capital letters on a black background.
In addition to this information, residents are being urged:
Never to fold electric blankets – as the wiring inside them needs to be protected by storing them flat or rolled up;
Never to leave an electric blanket switched on all night, unless it is thermostatically controlled so it can be used all night;
Never to use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.
If you would like to receive a free Safer Home Visit, please contact Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service on 01473 260588.
With help and support from Age UK and the Electrical Safety Council, nearly 350 blankets were tested between September 5 and 14 across Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill.
Owners of failed electric blankets were given replacements to ensure they stayed warm and safe this winter.
In the last ten years Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Suffolk Trading Standards have tested over 4,000 electric blankets. Of those tested almost half were found to be potentially lethal and were destroyed.
Cllr Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “Appliances which are not maintained could easily start a fire, destroy homes and cost lives.
"Electric blankets are the cause of over 1,000 fires in the UK every year and some have resulted in deaths. This year’s campaign has prevented more than 60 potentially devastating house fires.
“However I want to stress that there are still old electric blankets in homes across Suffolk which may not be safe for use and I would urge anyone concerned to contact the fire and rescue service immediately to organise a Safer Home Visit.”
Blankets should be tested routinely every three years and should not be used at all if they show any of the following tell-tale danger signs:
Fraying fabric
Scorch marks
Exposed elements
Creasing or folding
Damp patches
Tie tapes damaged or missing
Worn flex
Loose connections
The BEAB (British Electrotechnical Approvals Board) safety mark must also be checked to ensure it is up to date. The old mark, which means the blanket is more than ten years old, is a round symbol. The new sign shows white capital letters on a black background.
In addition to this information, residents are being urged:
Never to fold electric blankets – as the wiring inside them needs to be protected by storing them flat or rolled up;
Never to leave an electric blanket switched on all night, unless it is thermostatically controlled so it can be used all night;
Never to use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.
If you would like to receive a free Safer Home Visit, please contact Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service on 01473 260588.
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