Neath Port Talbot householders recently had their electric blankets tested free of charge and the results were shocking.
Trading Standards Officers and Fire Service officials found that alarmingly over half of those tested failed to meet minimum safety standards.
Leader of the Council, Ali Thomas said, “The results of this year’s safety campaign were dramatic. Over half of all blankets tested throughout the county borough being identified as potential fire risks.
People are risking their own safety, there were 90 house fires last year in Neath Port Talbot, by having this free check people can remove unsafe blankets from their home and sleep safer during the fast approaching Winter nights.”
Trading Standards Principal Steve Adie said, “The campaign is now in its second year, and the number of people having the free check has doubled.”
He added, “The number of failures has also risen compared with last year, the main reason blankets failed tests were due to their age and lack of safety features.
As a general guide, people should have their electric blankets tested every year. Any that are more than 10 years old should be replaced.”
