Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire County Council take 170 unsafe electric blankets out of use at testing events, inlcuding at Newark Library

60% of electric blankets tested at recent safety events in the county were found to be unsafe — with some more than 50 years old.

The condition of the blankets have prompted safety agencies to appeal to Nottinghamshire residents to check their blankets for signs of wear.

A total of 282 electric blankets were tested at three events, in Newark, Cotgrave, and Retford, last week, with age being the biggest factor in the failure of 170 of these.

The events were organised by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, and residents whose blanket failed the testing were given a brand new electric blanket for free as a replacement.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s community engagement and partnerships manager, Natasha Neale, said: “Electric blankets can pose a significant fire risk due to their potential of overheating, frayed wires, or loose connections. We always recommend that you replace it after ten years, or if it becomes faulty, to minimise the fire risks within your home.

“These events were also a great opportunity for us to meet vulnerable residents of Nottinghamshire, and to give them vital fire safety information. We generated over 50 Safe and Well Visits, meaning we could promote our fire safety agenda and ensure residents across the county have working smoke alarms in their properties.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Nottinghamshire County Council and Trading Standards again at these events.”

Some blankets which failed the testing were found to be more than 50 years old.

Safety advice suggests electric blankets should be replaced every 10 years.

The county council’s trading standards team is advising anyone with an electric blanket to check for signs of scorch marks, fraying fabric, exposed elements, creasing or folding, soiling, damp patches, damaged or missing tie tapes, a worn flex, loose connections, or an old BEAB safety mark (a round symbol) which means it is more than ten years old.

Electric blankets displaying any of these warning signs should be disposed of at a household waste and recycling centre — such as Newark Recycling Centre on Brunel Drive — rather than in the general waste bin.

Scott Carlton, cabinet member for communities and public health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “These figures show the reality that we have potentially stopped a number of fires due to unsafe electric blankets in Nottinghamshire.

“However, while the figures offer a sense of relief that these blankets are now longer being used, we know that this is just the tip of the iceberg as there will be other Nottinghamshire residents who use electric blankets who may have an item in the same or worse condition.

“It is for this reason that my message is as follows — if you or someone you know owns and uses an electric blanket, don’t delay spending just a few minutes checking it for the key signs of wear.

“Your blanket doesn’t have to meet all of the 10 points listed above to mean it needs replacing — even just having one of these signs of wear means that your blanket shouldn’t be used any further.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service for their support in offering these three events.

“Sadly, over the last few years we have seen a number of fatal house fires in Nottinghamshire caused by electric blankets, so remember, it only takes a few minutes to check yours or to book an appointment to come along and get it tested.”

In response to the recent testing figures, a further testing event is now to be held in partnership with Electrical Safety First, on Monday, December 2, at Ashfield Library.

Residents who own an electric blanket are invited to bring them along for testing where they will be replaced for a new one should they fail. Appointments can be booked by calling 0115 804 4555.