Trading Standards and Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service held a successful series of free electric blanket and portable heating testing events this winter.

 

Over the week of testing, a total of 43% of the electric blankets tested failed. One of the main reasons for the failures was due to the heating elements within the blanket coming loose and collecting in one area of the blanket which is a potential fire risk. The age of the blanket was also another reason for its failure, several blankets brought for testing were over 20 years old, with one nearly 40 years old.  

 

Around 43 fires a year are caused by faulty electric blankets in the home. They should be stored flat, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring and should be replaced at least every 10 years.

 

As a result of successfully bidding for grant funding from West Berkshire’s Household Safety Fund and Electrical Safety First, the Public Protection Partnership’s (PPP) Trading Standards Service were able to offer residents across Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham free electric blanket and portable heater testing.

 

The testing events, which were undertaken in partnership with the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, took place over the course of a week at the end of October three consecutive days at central locations within each of the three areas.

 

The funding granted to the PPP allowed residents whose electric blanket failed to have the option to receive a replacement. Replacement electric blankets were delivered to resident’s doors by PPP Officers. A resident who took part in the testing said ‘I recently took my electric blanket to Newbury Fire Station for a safety check. I was told that as it was over twenty years old it was deemed unsafe to use. The officer cut through the electric cable, with my consent, to ensure it was not used again (which I wouldn't) and told me I would receive a replacement. This arrived yesterday and is now on the bed. I am so grateful that this service exists as I had no idea that a blanket over twenty years old and in working order is not classed as safe. Thank you very much. I am very grateful for the advice and the replacement safe blanket.’

 

Portable heaters were also tested over the week, 14% of the heaters tested failed. Heaters cause around three fires a day in England. They should be kept away from furniture and curtains and should not be used for drying clothes.

 

Councillor Iskandar Jefferies, Chairman of the Joint Public Protection Committee, said ‘Consumer Protection is a priority area for the Public Protection Partnership. Wear and tear on these products is inevitable and faulty electric blankets and portable heaters pose a significant fire risk. It is good to see that residents have made good use of the opportunity to have these items tested. We look forward to building on the success of this work in the future.”

 

Samuel Terry, Policy and Research Manager at Electrical Safety First, said: “Electrical safety risks have been exacerbated in recent years by several wider factors, including the cost-of-living crisis, rocketing inflation, and rising energy prices.” 

 

“We are delighted to be funding so many projects which aim to keep people safe in their homes by tackling risks associated with electrical products, increasing public awareness of electrical safety, and promoting positive behaviour change.” 

 

Alongside the testing, residents were given advice and literature on how to keep themselves safe when using an electric blanket or portable heater at home and how to check for themselves if the item has any faults which could make it unsafe to use.

 

Residents were also provided with information from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service about how they could receive a free ‘Safe and Well’ visit at their homes and advice from Cosier Homes about how to stay warmer and healthier in their homes. PPP Officers were also able to speak to residents about other concerns and as a result agreed to fit two door video cameras for vulnerable residents.

 

For more information please contact tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk tel 01635 519930