Electric blankets

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Did you know that damaged electric blankets cause more than 5,000 fires a year, and that 20 people are killed or 100 injured in such fires? Most fires are caused by old, damaged electric blankets and elderly people are most at risk.

What are the other danger signs?

• The fabric is worn or frayed.
• There are scorch marks.
• The tie-tapes for attaching the blanket to the bed are damaged or missing.
• The flex is worn or damaged.
• Any connections, wiring, plug connections or controls are loose.
• The heating wires have been damaged or displaced. To check, hold the blanket up to the light. The wires should be evenly spaced and never touch each other.

Always make sure that you use your blanket in line with the manufacturer's instructions and have it tested at least every two years.

Once a year, for a limited time in the spring, we offer free safety checks on electric blankets to persons with a disability, and to people of age 55 or over who are resident, or work in Renfrewshire. The service includes free uplift and return of blankets for consumers unable to deliver blankets to the address below.

Please contact us to register your blanket for testing or to get more information on our free electric blanket safety checks.

Contact information

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 840 3184
• fax: 0141 840 3233
• call in or write to us at:
  Renfrewshire Council
  Trading Standards
  Environmental Services
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1UG