Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards Department will be offering free electric blanket safety tests across the county between 19th and 23rd September and again between 10th and 14th October.
Faulty and unsafe electric blankets cause 5000 fires nationally every year and Cumbrians are being urged not to risk domestic fires and needless injuries.
The event is being run in partnership with Age Concern and other voluntary groups across the county and there are free replacement blankets on offer in exchange for those that fail (subject to conditions). The safety tests are being offered by appointment, and with limited places available people are advised to book their slot as soon as possible.
Ring Trading Standards today for an appointment on the following numbers.
Abbey Road, Barrow in Furness - 01229-894520
Earl Street, Carlisle - 01228-607447
Station Road, Cockermouth - 01900-325980
County Offices, Kendal - 01539-773577
Geoff Hodgson, Cumbria County Council spokesman for Community Safety says:
"Faulty electric blankets present a very real risk of causing house fires and personal injury, often to the most vulnerable people. At last years event one in three of the blankets we tested failed, so I would encourage people to take advantage of this offer, come along on the day, and make sure their blanket is safe."
For more information contact Bill Procter or Pat Thomas at Trading Standards on (01539) 773573 or (01539) 773591