Issued: 18 October 2012
How Safe is Your Electric Blanket?
In a move to highlight the dangers of electrical faults in the home, Angus Community Safety Partnership is to hold safety days throughout the county during the next three weeks, focusing particularly on electric blanket safety. If blankets are found to be faulty, they can be exchanged for a voucher to help replace it with a new one.
This activity has been sponsored by the Electrical Safety Council's (ESC) Fire Safety Fund which supports electrical fire prevention schemes at local level that aim to effectively tackles the causes of electrically related fires.
Appliance testers will be available at each event and there will also be information and advice on home and fire safety, home security, consumer affairs and health & wellbeing.
Angus Councillor Lynne Devine attended the launch event in Forfar today, Thursday 18 October.
She said: "Faulty domestic appliances and faulty house wiring are responsible for many accidents and fires in the home. We are having these safety days to raise awareness of the dangers of electricity and faulty electrical appliances, particularly electric blankets. I urge people to come along to the safety events and have their electric blankets checked before the cold weather sets in."
Judith Leslie of Angus Care and Repair, which are also involved with the events said: "We are particularly targeting electric blankets, where a person is in close proximity to electricity for a prolonged period. It is imperative that an electric blanket is safe and we will test any electric blanket brought to us on the day."
She added: "Anyone unable to attend the sessions for reasons of mobility or health should contact Angus Care and Repair to arrange a home safety visit on 01307 463232 and mention that it is in relation to the electric blanket testing."
"The ESC's primary objective is to help people stay safe around electricity and, sadly, fires caused by faulty electric blankets are not uncommon", adds Lorraine Carney, Senior Campaigns Manager at the ESC. "We are particularly keen to assist vulnerable people, such as the elderly, who may be reliant on electric blankets to keep them warm in the winter - so we are delighted to support Angus Community Safety Partnership and their initiative in this area."
For further safety advice on electric blankets go to the ESC website's 'Guides and Advice' section where you can download a free 'electric blanket safety' leaflet, or telephone the consumer helpline on 0203 463 5100.
Refreshments will be available whilst blankets or other appliance is being tested and there will be the opportunity to browse the stands.
Members of the public are invited to attend the sessions at the following locations:
| Town | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Forfar | 18 October 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, Strang Street |
| Brechin | 22 October 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, Scott street |
| Arbroath | 24 October 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, Ponderlaw Street |
| Monifieth | 26 October 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, North Balmossie Street |
| Kirriemuir | 29 October 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, Glengate |
| Carnoustie | 31 October 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, Kinloch Street |
| Montrose | 2 November 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Fire Station, Garrison Road |
| Birkhill | 8 November 2012, 10 am - 2pm | Millennium Hall, Coupar Angus Road |