Annual electric blanket safety checks
Released: 23 August 2007
Wolverhampton residents are being urged to check their electric blankets before they start using them again this winter in a bed to reduce the number of fires and injuries caused by worn and faulty blankets.
Wolverhampton City Council Trading Standards Officers are once again providing free electric blanket safety checks next month (between Tuesday, September 25th and Thursday, September 27th) as part of a campaign to prevent tragedies this winter.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Pat Byrne, said: “I urge people to take advantage of this free offer of a safety check as every year many fires are caused by faulty or worn blankets which owners don’t realise are dangerous”.
Tips to stay safe this winter include:
DO NOT
- Use blankets with worn cables or broken plugs
- Use blankets that are badly creased, have damaged fabric or have become damp
- Leave blankets on overnight unless they are specifically intended for that use
DO
- Follow the manufacturers instructions
- Have the blanket checked regularly for safety if it is more than three years old
The free safety checks will take place at the following venues:
- Wednesfield Community Centre - Tuesday 25 September, 9.30am to 12noon
- Tettenhall Fire Station - Tuesday 25 September. 1:30pm to 3:30pm
- Beckminster Methodist Hall - Wednesday 26 September, 9:30am to 3:30pm
- Civic Centre - Thursday 27 September, 9:30am to 12noon
- Fallings Park Fire Station - Thursday 27 September 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Trading Standards Officers will be on hand at all these venues to give free advice on product safety in the home.
Electric blanket safety checks will be carried out by appointment only, which must be booked in advance, and will be made on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Anyone wanting to make an appointment should call City Direct on Wolverhampton 01902 551155 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday.
Issued by the press office.
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