Blankets Pass MOT
“Now I know I will not fry during the night” the comment from one lady whose electric blanket passed its annual check up. Results for Warwickshire Trading Standards Service annual electric blanket testing campaign saw 84% of blankets pass the test, the highest pass rate in the last six years.
Regular testing has ensured that many dangerous blankets, which are a fire hazard, are disposed of before they cause problems. One blanket presented for testing this year was over 40 years old, a museum piece! Needless to say, it was condemned as unsafe because it had no over-heat protection.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection expressed his delight that the number of blankets failing the test is going down. “It is testament to the annual cycle of testing that so many blankets have been taken out of circulation. Unsafe electric blankets have the potential to start fires and risk lives. By continuing this campaign I am sure we can continue to reduce the numbers of dangerous electric blankets even further.”
Feedback received from older people throughout the county reveals how much they appreciated these safety checks; comments were overwhelmingly positive about the campaign. An elderly resident from South Warwickshire explains why the annual testing campaign is so important for her.
“I suffered a stroke a few years ago and since then I have problems at night-time staying warm on my left side, particularly my left leg. My electric blanket is so important to me, I can now fall asleep knowing it is safe to use. I’m very grateful for the testing and for collecting and bringing back my blankets”.
People that were unable to take advantage of the testing programme can check their own blankets by looking for the following warning signs:
* The fabric is worn or frayed
* There are scorch marks anywhere
* The tie tapes are damaged or missing
* The flex is worn or damaged
* Any connections are loose
Older blankets that are in regular use are more likely to have one or more of the above faults.
Electric blanket safety advice and guidance is available from Warwickshire Trading Standards website on: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards.