PR 1602

ELECTRIC BLANKET SAFETY STILL CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Hampshire County Council is concerned over the number of electric blankets which continue to fail its annual safety checks.

This year 44% (351) of electric blankets tested failed the free checks, which Trading Standards carried out in partnership with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and most at 12 locations across the county.

However, Trading Standards is pleased to see that the message on electric blanket safety is beginning to get across with the number of blankets passing the checks increasing year on year - in 2000 only 29% passed. Since 1997 when the checks were introduced an average of 45% of blankets tested have failed, and a total of 2509 blankets have been condemned.

Old or damaged blankets cause more than 5,000 fires a year nationally, and each year 20 people are killed and 100 injured in such fires. With 99% of electric blanket fires believed to have involved blankets that are more than 10 years old, Trading Standards is strongly advising residents to take to take such blankets out of use.

Those attending the safety checks, particularly the elderly, were given important advice on buying, storing and using electric blankets as well as being offered guidance on consumer issues, fire safety and energy efficiency.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said; "It is good news that an increasing number of electric blankets are passing our annual checks, but there is still a high proportion of blankets failing.

"It is important to have electric blankets checked regularly and it is recommended that they are checked at least every three years. The demand for this year's free checks was at record levels and over 300 people put pen to paper to praise the service. Everyone should make sure their blanket is safe before they plug it in ."

For more information on electric blanket checks and advice on using and looking after them please visit www.hants.gov.uk/regulatory/advice/elecblan.html or call local rate number 0845 6030081 or email rsadvice@hants.gov.uk .

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Breakdown of checks by testing centre:

Lymington 132 56%

New Milton 136 46%

Fareham 110 63%

Hardley 95 57%

Winchester 105 61%

Eastleigh 99 65%

Fleet 89 58%

Rushmoor 12 50%

New Milton (day 2) 53 67%

Petersfield 102 57%

Andover 91 57%

Basingstoke 86 50%

Waterlooville 94 46%

Total 1204 56%

For further information please contact: Kirsty Gunner on 01962 847110

kirsty.gunner@hants.gov.uk 11/11/2004