Only 12% of blankets pass safety tests
By Martin Chapman on Wednesday, 26th December 2001.
ALMOST half the electric blankets tested by Suffolk Fire Service recently were so dangerous that they had to be destroyed. County wide 404 out of 831 blankets were destroyed.
Officers from the Fire Service and the counties Trading Standards department joined forces for again in a bid to rid the county old and unsafe electric blankets – which nationally have caused 5,000 fires in the past year.
They tested 831 blankets, 404 of which were deemed so unsafe they were destroyed and a further 106 required repairs. Only 321 passed with no faults.
The blankets, which were tested free of charge were tested for unsafe plugs, wear and tear, exposed elements and over-heating protection.
Peter Monk Deputy Leader of Suffolk County Council’s executive committee said: “Faulty blankets represent a real fire risk and that is a particular problem if you are elderly and unable to escape if things go wrong.!
Residents are advised to replace their blanket if:
* it is over ten years old
* the fabric is worn and frayed
* there are scorch marks anywhere on the blanket
* any connections are loose
Free blanket advice is available from Trading Standards on 01473 584358.
Officers from the Fire Service and the counties Trading Standards department joined forces for again in a bid to rid the county old and unsafe electric blankets – which nationally have caused 5,000 fires in the past year.
They tested 831 blankets, 404 of which were deemed so unsafe they were destroyed and a further 106 required repairs. Only 321 passed with no faults.
The blankets, which were tested free of charge were tested for unsafe plugs, wear and tear, exposed elements and over-heating protection.
Peter Monk Deputy Leader of Suffolk County Council’s executive committee said: “Faulty blankets represent a real fire risk and that is a particular problem if you are elderly and unable to escape if things go wrong.!
Residents are advised to replace their blanket if:
* it is over ten years old
* the fabric is worn and frayed
* there are scorch marks anywhere on the blanket
* any connections are loose
Free blanket advice is available from Trading Standards on 01473 584358.
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