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Home safety

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Home safety

Electric Blanket Testing

The Council together with Trading Standards and Oxfordshire Fire Service carries out free safety checks, for residents of West Oxfordshire, normally during September, as part of a countywide scheme.

Testing Days

The last tesing days were:

  • Witney - 8th October 2008
  • Chipping Norton - 21st October 2008

Please use the online form to register your interest in future days.

Test Results

The test results for West Oxfordshire, for previous years, are shown in the table below.

Year Tested Passed Repaired Failed % Failed
2000 155 70 11 74 48 %
2001 168 70 24 74 44 %
2002 191 101 24 66 35 %
2003 185 104 9 72 39 %
2004 178 106 11 61 34%
2005 158 99 6 53 34%
2006 176 103 1 72 41%

2007

141

97

3

41

29%

2008

191

135

1

55

29%


Old or damaged blankets cause more than 5,000 fires a year; blankets more than 10 years old are responsible for 99% of these. Each year around 20 people are killed and 100 injured as a result of such fires. The danger signs are:

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

If your blanket is more than 10 years old, or showing signs of wear and tear, the best advice is to get a new one. When choosing a blanket, always buy new and look out for a European Certification Mark such as the new BEAB safety mark.

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Last reviewed 31 December 2008

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http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/environment/homesafety.cfm printed 06 January 2009 by 38.103.63.61