NEARLY half of the electric blankets checked during a safety testing session in Redditch on Thursday, February 2 were found to be unsafe.
The testing session was part of a showcase of services for older people event held at the town hall where visitors could call in to get advice on a range of services for older people, including fire safety in the home. This was a multi-agency event, with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) and Age UK offering free electric blanket safety checks.
Of the 45 electric blankets tested during the event, a total of 21 were found to be defective in one way or another.
Caroline Webster, community safety advisor with HWFRS, said: “Nearly 47 per cent of the blankets we tested at the Redditch session were found to be unsafe, and some were in a particularly dangerous condition.
“It is concerning to see such a high proportion failing the safety checks and we’d urge anyone who was unable to get along to the session to take a few moments to inspect their own blankets, discontinuing use if they notice any signs of wear and tear, particularly any worn leads, scorch marks or creasing and folding.”
She confirmed that free replacement blankets had been handed out to those failing the safety checks and it was reassuring to know that the defective blankets were no longer being used on people’s beds.
She also reminded people that ideally blankets should be safety checked every two years and replaced every 10 years.