Get your electric blanket tested for free – that is the message from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
With temperatures falling, more people will be dusting off their electric blankets ready for use but they can be a fire risk, warned Alison Teece, of the brigade’s Community Fire Safety department.
They have linked up with a Shrewsbury electrical firm to carry out safety checks on individual blankets at fire stations in Telford, Whitchurch and Wem in October.
Residents wanting to take up the free service must book an appointment in advance by calling the Community Fire Safety department on 01743 260 260 during office hours between October 1 to October 5.
Bedroom fires caused by faulty electric blankets are on the decrease in Shropshire due to householders heeding fire safety but they still account for 5,000 house fires nationwide every year.
Danger signs to look out for include frayed fabric, scorch marks, exposed elements, creasing or folding, damp patches, tie tapes damaged or missing, worn flex and loose connections, warned Alison.
“It’s cheaper to replace a worn electric blanket than it is to replace your home. If you are in any doubt about the condition of the blanket, bin it and buy a new one,” she urged.
A representative from RMW Electrical Services and Community Fire Safety Officers will be on hand to check your electric blanket at Whitchurch Fire Station from 9am to 1pm on October 11 and at Wem Fire Station from 2pm to 4.45pm. They will be at Walton Court, Village Way, Oakengates, Telford, from 9am to 5pm on October 12.
