Stay warm – and safe – this winter
Page last updated on Tuesday, 28-Sep-2010
With the colder weather approaching, many of us will be digging the electric blankets out of the cupboard to keep ourselves warm at night.
But New Forest residents are invited to get their blankets checked for any potentially dangerous defects before they put them on their beds this winter.
Free electric blanket checks are being offered by Hampshire Trading Standards at four New Forest venues – New Milton, Lymington, Hythe and Totton, in the next few weeks.
“I would urge electric blanket owners in the New Forest to take advantage of these safety checks,” said NFDC Cllr Goff Beck, chairman of the Safer New Forest Partnership Joint Action Group.
“Many people forget how long they have had their blankets and some appliances can develop a 'hot spot' caused by a breakdown in the electrical wires, so it is best to get the all-clear.”
In last year's tests almost 60 percent of the1399 blankets that were tested in Hampshire, failed modern safety standards.
They were either too old, worn out, had poor wiring, broken controls or offered no protection against overheating.
Electric blankets should be tested every year after the guarantee period and replaced if they are over ten years old.
The safety checks are being held on:
- Wednesday 29 September at New Milton fire station (all day);
- Thursday 7 October at Lymington fire station (all day);
- Friday 15 October at Hythe fire station (morning) and
- Totton fire station (afternoon).
Residents should telephone Trading Standards on 01962 833 358 to book their appointment.
If you have concerns about the safety of your blanket, contact Hampshire County Council Trading Standards on 01962 833 625 or go to www.hants.gov.uk/regulatory/tradingstandards/electricblanket.html
If you don’t want to use an electric blanket, why not try:
- Keeping your home thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF) and if you can’t heat all your rooms, make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed
- Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed
- Wrap up warm at bedtime by wearing bedsocks, thermal underwear or night clothes, extra layers and something soft and fleecy to keep your head warm
- Add an extra blanket or two, or a heavier duvet
- Don’t forget the good old hot water bottles - but remember, never use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle together as you could electrocute yourself
For information about the work of the Safer New Forest Partnership visit: www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk or contact Stephanie Bennett on 02380 285148 or email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk
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• Also see
• Related Internet Links
- Community First New Forest
- Hampshire County Council
- New Forest District Council
- New Forest National Park