Staying warm at home safely

Published: 27 November 2024

As a result of a grant from West Berkshire’s Household Safety Fund and Electrical Safety First, the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) was recently able to offer residents free electric blanket and portable heater testing.

Just under half the electric blankets tested at the events failed. The two most common reasons were the age of the blanket and damage arising from the ways the blankets were stored.

Electric blankets should be replaced at least every ten years and they should be stored flat, rolled up or folded loosely in order to prevent damage to the internal wiring. They should also be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear, including scorch marks, fraying fabric, exposed elements, creasing, worn flex, loose connections, or an old BEAB safety mark.

Of the portable heaters tested, 14% failed. Heaters cause around three fires each day in England. They should be kept away from furniture and curtains and should not be used to dry clothes.

Old hot water bottles also present risks as they can break and cause serious scalding. They should be checked for signs of wear and tear. The flower symbol found on hot water bottles indicates exactly when it was made. The number in the middle gives the year, the flower segments represent the 12 months, and the dots inside represent the weeks. Hot water bottles should be changed every two years.