Press Release
Free testing for electric blankets
Shetland Islands Council's Trading StandardsService has once again teamed up with the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service to offer free electric blanket testing.
Faulty electric blankets cause thousands of fires each year across Britain. Blankets more than ten years old present the greatest danger, but even if an electric blanket is much newer it should still be checked regularly.
During the 2010 Road Show, 128 electric blankets were tested - of which 75 (59%) were found to be dangerous.
Throughout the week 26 – 30 September, electric blankets can be left at the Council’s Grantfield office in Lerwick anytime between 9am – 5pm. All blankets will be tested for free by a qualified electrician. This year local electrical retailers are offering up to 10% off replacement electric blankets to those whose blankets are tested by Trading Standards and found to be dangerous.
Trading Standards will also be making daily collections of electric blankets sent in via the Freight Centre at the Viking Bus Station.Anyone sending an electric blanket by bus, or leaving it at the Freight Centre for collection, should first call Trading Standards on 01595 744887. They will then send out a form forthe owner’s address and other details, which must accompany each blanket put in for testing.
Councillor Allison Duncan, a member of the Fire Board, said:
“Last year’s Road Show took 75 unsafe electric blankets out of use. Here’s an opportunity to help ensure that you’re safe in your own home. Each blanket that we are able to identify as faulty is potentially a life saved.”
Anyone wanting to arrange a free fire safety check in their own home can do so by visiting www.hifrs.org or calling 08000 121312. The local Community Safety Adviser, Peter Stevenson, will then call to arrange a suitable time to visit. 73% of the homes which received the home fire safety check last year were found to have inadequate smoke detection in place.
