Electric Blanket starts house fire
Firefighters were called to a house in Wickford after the elderly resident was alerted by their smoke alarm to a fire on the first floor of the property.
When fire crews arrived they see smoke coming from an upstairs bedroom and found the bed alight. Fire crews discovered that the fire had been started by an old electric blanket that was turned on.
Thanks to the working smoke alarm alerted the resident, and the quick response from the firefighters, the fire was contained to the one bedroom.
Watch Manager Andy Smith, Wickford Fire Station, said:
"This fire could have destroyed the whole house if the resident wasn't alerted at the earliest opportunity by their working smoke alarm. This fire should serve as a stark reminder to everyone living in Essex that smoke alarms really are important, and if you don't have any then you should get some today. They can be easily picked up at most supermarkets and DIY stores.
This fire was started by an electric blanket. Firefighters examined the blanket and found that it was most certainly more than 10 years old and as a general rule we don't advise anyone uses an electric blanket that is more than 10 years old unless it have had a professional check it. Even if it hasn't been used regulary, simply storing an electric blanket can cause it damage and make it unsafe to use.
Electric blanket safety tips
- Always buy new when choosing an electric blanket - never buy secondhand blankets, as they may not be safe and you can't be sure that they meet current safety requirements
- Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions before use
- Examine your blanket regularly for signs of wear or damage
- Never use an electric underblanket as an overblanket (or vice versa)
- Do not use the blanket while it's still folded or creased
- Do not use a hot water bottle at the same time as using your electric blanket
- Do not touch the blanket if you have wet hands or feet, and never use the blanket if it is wet or damp
- Electric blankets should be checked by a qualified technician every three years for signs of wear or damage.
