Information on Loughborough

Electric Blanket Amnesty in Loughborough

Posted on 29/10/2007
P. Klein

electric blanketWhere you aware that every year 20 people are killed in fires caused by electric blankets? Or that 1,000 house fires are caused by electric blankets? Its also been found that 99% of all fires caused by electric blankets are caused by ones over ten years old.

When Leicestershire Trading Standards and Fire service offered a free safety check to members of the public they found that half the blankets were not safe to be used. The worst failures were discovered as being old blankets that had creases in them from incorrect storage.

To coincide with Age Concerns Safer Homes Week the Co-op, Leicestershire Fire Service and Leicestershire Trading Standards have got together to do something about these horrendous statistics.

If you take your old electric blanket to them at Loughborough Library on Granby Street on 1st November 2007 you will receive a brand new one in its place. They will be there between 10am and 4pm, however there are limited stocks so its strictly first come first served. They are washable, have different heat settings and can be left on when someone is in the bed overnight.

If your or a friends or familys electric blanket shows any of the following, dont turn it on, chuck it out.

  • Scorch marks
  • Worn flex
  • Exposed elements
  • Fraying fabric
  • Tie tapes damaged or missing
  • Loose connections
  • Damp patches
  • Creasing or folding
  • Soiling
  • An old BEAB safety mark - a round symbol (the new sign is white capital letters on a black background). This means it is more than 10 years old