Free electric blanket testing offered by fire service

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is offering free electric blanket testing sessions in Hastings and Rother this month to ensure blankets are safe before winter arrives.
Fire & Rescue East SussexFire & Rescue East Sussex
Fire & Rescue East Sussex

The first session takes place in Bexhill today (Friday, October 2) at the Bagnall Room, Bexhill Caring Community, 25 Sackville Road, between 9am-3pm.

The doors of Bohemia Road Community Fire Station in Hastings will be opening its doors for electric blanket testing on October 19, with sessions taking place between 10am until 4pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you are unable to attend on the day to have your electric blanket tested, please contact Kirstie Carlton-Blake on 01323 462180 or email to [email protected] to arrange collection and delivery.

The following day, October 20, is the turn of Battle Community Fire Station, which will be testing blankets between 10am until 1pm.

If you are unable to attend on the day to have your electric blanket tested, please contact Battle Community Fire Station on 01323 462972 to arrange collection and delivery.

Andy Reynolds, director of prevention and protection at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “If you have an electric blanket we would encourage you to have it tested before you start to use it this autumn and winter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are urging people to remember that just because you used your blanket last year or earlier on in the year doesn’t mean it is still safe.

“At testing days in previous years faults have included, lack of a cut off mechanism to stop overheating and faulty wiring.

“Last year one blanket was actually smouldering on the test table due to a broken element, which was not only a fire hazard, but could also have given the user an electric shock.

“Simply bring your blanket along to one of the sessions during October where we can test it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It won’t take long and will give you the reassurance that your electric blanket is safe to use.”

Electric blanket advice:

Before you use your blanket, make sure that it - or its power cable - doesn’t show any of the following danger signs:

* The fabric is worn or frayed

* There are scorch marks anywhere

* Wires are visible

* There is damage to the cord

* There are any loose connections

* The control is making a buzzing sound and/or is giving off a smell

* It displays an old safety mark

If you are in any doubt about your blanket, contact the manufacturer before you use it to make sure that it is safe.

It may need to be replaced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

* Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3 Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: