WIREDGOV

Faulty electric blankets are putting too many people across Northern Ireland at risk of injury and fire, say accident prevention campaigners following a series of safety events.

Nearly three-quarters of electric blankets tested by Home Accident Prevention groups failed safety checks. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is now urging all electric blanket owners to have their blankets serviced regularly.

A total of 1,194 blankets were tested across the country from September - November. Of these blankets, 870 (73 per cent) failed the tests because of: faulty/damaged enclosures (which insulate the heating elements); faulty power cords; no overheat protection; or, faulty controllers. In 2009, the failure rate in similar safety testing events was around 60 per cent.

The average age of failing blankets was 12 years. A handful of blankets were more than 40-years-old, and many were more than 20-years-old - dating back to a time before adequate overheat protection was included as standard.

The majority of people who had blankets tested were over the age of 60. Many of those with faulty blankets were given a replacement or a voucher towards the cost of one.

Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, acknowledged the importance of the investigation. He said: “I am concerned at the results of this investigation, and it is a timely reminder for us to put safety at the forefront in our homes, particularly in light of the cold snaps we are experiencing.

“Initiatives such as electric blanket testing help raise awareness of the causes of home accidents and I commend those on the ground who actively promote preventative measures to reduce such accidents. This is very much in keeping with the objectives of my Department's Home Accident Prevention Strategy, which aims to reduce the number of accidental deaths and injuries in the home.”

Ita McErlean, home safety manager at RoSPA in Northern Ireland, said: “It is extremely worrying that so many electric blankets tested in this investigation were faulty. Across the UK in 2008, there were 204 accidental house fires started by faulty electric blankets or bedwarmers. There would also have been other injuries, such as electric shocks.

“Electric-blanket-related injuries and fires typically happen because people are using faulty blankets or do not use their blankets properly. Having your blanket serviced regularly - at least every three years - is vital. It was concerning that most people we spoke to during the safety checks did not know how old their blankets were. We urge all users of electric blankets, and their families, to check the age and appearance of their blankets, and to buy a replacement if necessary.”

Electric blanket safety advice:

• Replace pre-1990s electric blankets with new blankets. Older blankets will not have adequate overheat protection - this means that heat builds up where the blanket is rucked or with the weight of a person lying on top and, after time, can ignite
• Check your blanket and the flex regularly for signs of wear and tear
• Have your blanket professionally checked, at least once every three years
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully
• Switch off preheating under-blankets before getting into bed
• Never use a blanket folded or creased
• Never switch on a blanket if it is damp
• Never stick pins into the fabric.

During the blanket safety testing events, local failure rates were as follows:

• Antrim – 81 per cent
• Armagh and Dungannon – 70 per cent
• Ballymoney – 79 per cent
• Belfast – 77 per cent
• Castlereagh – 68 per cent
• Claudy – 80 per cent
• Coleraine – 88 per cent
• Cookstown – 72 per cent
• Craigavon and Bainbridge – 70 per cent
• Down – 77 per cent
• Fermanagh – 79 per cent
• Larne – 70 per cent
• Limavady – 66 per cent
• Lisburn – 69 per cent
• Moyle – 83 per cent
• Newry and Mourne – 74 per cent
• Newtownabbey – 75 per cent
• Newtownards – 74 per cent
• North Down – 70 per cent
• Omagh – 63 per cent
• Strabane – 66 per cent

Northern Ireland’s Home Accident Prevention Strategy and Action Plan can be found at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/eqia-haps04.pdf. The Strategy is currently under review to assess progress against its aim, targets and actions.