Households across the UK are being urged to check their electric blankets this December after alarming new safety test results from Oxfordshire.
Shocking Test Results Revealed
Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards team has issued a stark warning following a series of safety-checking events. Over the past couple of months, the team tested 920 electric blankets at events across the county.
The results were concerning: 37% of the blankets tested failed to meet basic safety standards. Among the failed items was one blanket found to be more than 60 years old – a full five decades older than its recommended lifespan.
Why Regular Checks Are Crucial
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, the council's community safety lead, said the findings highlight the critical need for simple precautions. "Some blankets may appear safe visually, but a professional check can help to identify hidden faults," she explained.
Jody Kerman, from the trading standards team, emphasised that age isn't the only factor. "Blankets and throws might fail a safety assessment for many reasons, and even quite new blankets can fail," Kerman stated. This underscores the importance of the council's free annual testing events.
The Wider Risk from Online Marketplaces
The warning coincides with separate findings from the charity Electrical Safety First. Their investigation discovered "highly dangerous" electrical products, including electric blankets, being sold by third-party sellers on major online platforms like Amazon Marketplace, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.
Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, linked the risk to the cost-of-living crisis: "Households are perpetually being left at risk from products, such as dangerous electric blankets, as people seek to keep heating costs down."
Sue Davies, Head of Consumer Protection Policy at Which?, echoed calls for stricter regulation. "The government must urgently act to give online marketplaces greater legal responsibility for unsafe and illegal products sold on their sites," she said.
The clear message for consumers is to prioritise safety over cost this winter. Have your electric blanket professionally tested, be extremely cautious when buying online, and replace any item that is old or shows signs of wear.
