Fire Service offering free electric blanket tests in Hastings and Rother area
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are urging people to bring in electric blankets or heat-pads for free safety checks in October.
A spokesperson for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Last year over a third of electric blanket tested by the service failed the safety tests. These failures could have led to fires and serious injury. “Help reduce the risk by bringing your electric blanket or heat pad along for a free safety check. Home Office statistics indicate electric blankets cause around 44 fires in the UK each year and are predominantly used by older and sometimes less mobile people.
"At the free testing events people are offered a free home safety visit and project partners will also be in attendance to discuss issues around scams, security, housing issues and the warm home check scheme.
“We understand that not everyone can get to the testing sessions, so we are encouraging friends and neighbours to ask if blanket users would like them to take the blanket or heat-pad, on their behalf, to the nearest venue.
"By raising awareness and actively engaging with the public, we aim to reduce the risk associated with electric blanket and heat pad usage and promote overall fire safety in the home. Members of the public praised the initiative with comments including: ‘I didn’t realise there was anything wrong with my blanket, but the tester showed me the bunched-up wires that could have caused a fire. Without this service I would have continued to use my faulty blanket’.”
The free testing sessions take place at Robertsbridge Village Hall, Station Road, on Monday October 19 from 10am – 12 noon and on Wednesday October 21 at Bexhill Fire Station, Beeching Road, from 10am – 12 noon and Hastings Fire Station, Bohemia Road, from 2pm – 4pm.