WARWICKSHIRE County Council is helping to keep households safe this winter.
Its trading standards team is launching its annual electric blanket safety testing campaign in October.
Warwickshire residents aged 50 or over are invited to have their blankets and other items including kettles, irons, toasters and Christmas lights tested for free.
The checks will take place at the venues across all five districts and boroughs including –
• Monday 2nd October: Rugby Library
• Tuesday 3rd October: Nuneaton Fire Station
• Wednesday 4th October: Leamington Town Hall
• Thursday 5th October: Atherstone Library (9 am to 12pm) and Coleshill Library (1 pm to 4 pm)
• Friday 6th October: Briars Croft Stratford upon Avon
During last year’s event, one in every three electric blankets – a known cause of house fires – failed the safety testing.
The council is strongly urging residents to book an appointment for a test which are carried out by expert electrical examiners.
Call 01926 414080 or email [email protected] to book an appointment which are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Those unable to attend should look for warning signs including worn or frayed fabric, scorch marks, missing or damaged tie tapes, a worn or damaged flex and loose connections. Older blankets in regular use are much more likely to have one or more of the above faults.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/electricblanket for more advice.
