Electric blanket safety checks will be available to people in the county over the coming weeks.

People are being encouraged to avoid fire risk spoiling a good night’s sleep by taking advantage of free electric blanket safety checks from Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team.

There will be free refreshments available at the pre-bookable events.

All of the events will take place in September, with the Oxford event on Monday 19, South Oxfordshire on Tuesday 20, Cherwell on Wednesday 21, West Oxfordshire on Thursday 22 and Vale of White Horse on Friday 23.

For those who are unable to travel, arrangements can be made to collect electric blankets from residents’ homes between 3-7 October.

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Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “If the condition of a blanket is allowed to deteriorate there is the possibility it could become faulty, risking injury and fire.

“We want to ensure that electric blankets are still safe for use.

“The tests are free. But remember to pre-book.

“Testing electric blankets has taken place in Oxfordshire for over 20 years.

“The failure rate is still over 20 per cent. Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with house fires started by old electric blankets in the past.”

The electric blanket safety check booking line and email has been open since July 18 – call 10865 895999, or email duty.officer@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Pre-booked appointments are required and will be available on a first come first served basis.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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