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Home safety

Electric blanket testing

We carry out free electric blanket safety checks for West Oxfordshire residents as part of a countywide scheme which involves Trading Standards and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The next electric blanket testing will be in September/October 2022.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Wednesday 21st Cherwell
Thursday 22nd West Oxfordshire
Friday 23rd Vale of White Horse

3-7 OCTOBER 2022

Collections from your house if you can't get to us.

BOOKING INFORMATION

To book your safety check appointment call 01865 895999 Option 3
or email: duty.officer@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

Safety check appointments must be pre-booked and are done on a first-come, first served basis.

Reasons for testing electric blankets

Old or damaged blankets cause more than 5,000 fires a year with blankets over 10 years old causing 99% of these fires. Each year about 20 people are killed and 100 injured in these fires. The danger signs are:

  • Worn or frayed fabric
  • Scorch marks
  • Tie tapes (if originally fitted) damaged or missing
  • Worn or damaged flex
  • Loose electrical connections
  • Damaged or displaced heating wires - hold the blanket up to the light to check    

If your electric blanket is more than 10 years old or showing signs of wear and tear, the best advice is to get a new one. When buying a new electric blanket:

  • always buy new
  • look out for a European Certification Mark such as the new BEAB safety mark.

Electric blanket test results

The test results for previous year's electric blanket testing in Oxfordshire are shown in the table below.

Year Tested  Failed
2014 191 34
2015 169 31
2016 178 34
2017 197 50
2018 661 29
2019 622 107
2020 756 159
2021 747 230

 

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