Electric blanket tests cut fire risk by half
In seven years, regular electric blanket safety tests, conducted by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service have seen the number of failed blanket tests fall from over a third to just 15% - the lowest failure rate ever!
However, Trading Standards Officers know this still represents over 60 potential electrocution or fire hazards and will not be complacent as they seek to reduce the figure further.
Over 400 electric blankets were tested during the week long campaign which began on 1st October. 61 blankets out of a total of 408, (15%) failed tests, although there were countywide variations (see table below). The campaign was open to all Warwickshire residents aged 50 or over.
Most blankets failed because they offered no overheat protection or were an electrocution or fire hazard risk.
In addition to running five testing stations at locations across the county, officers also ran a collection service for the very elderly and vulnerable, often living in remote rural locations or without access to transport.
Trading Standards Officers also used these events to work with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service to reduce the risk of house fires generally, by referring almost 80 people who attended the electric blanket testing stations for a Home Fire Safety Check.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said: “Each unsafe electric blanket is a potential fire hazard and I’m delighted that this regular service, carried out by the Trading Standards Service, is significantly reducing the number of unsafe electric blankets in use across Warwickshire.
"I am also pleased that almost 80 participants took up the opportunity to have a home fire safety check from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. This is a great example of how services are working together to make the best use of the events we organise to protect Warwickshire people.”
Electric blankets failed for a range of reasons:
Some had no overheat protection (a mark of an old blanket), a feature built in to new blankets to prevent then from overheating and catching fire
Some failed due to exposed wiring, an electrocution risk, and
Some failed because the wiring in the blanket was broken or kinked. Damaged wiring can cause hot spots to develop which in turn can cause fires.
The electric blanket testing campaign has now finished but owners can check the safety of their own electric 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
Remember older blankets in regular use are much more likely to have one or more of the above faults.
A comprehensive guide to electric blanket safety is available on our website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards and click on ‘Safety Advice’. Alternatively call 01926 414040 to request a free electric blanket safety leaflet.