FIFE COUNCIL are reminding Dalgety Bay and Dunfermline are residents that they can have their electric blankets tested for free.

Fife Council Trading Standards and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be at Dalgety Bay Community Centre, Moray Way North, between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday 25th March and the Tryst Centre, Duncan Crescent, Abbeyview, from 10am until 1pm on Tuesday 8th April.

Blankets can be taken along to be tested for free and there is no limit to the number of blankets tested per person.

Geoff Bates, Service Manager in Protective Services, said, “48 per cent of the electric blankets tested in last year’s project failed safety checks. The project is open to all members of the community and there is no limit on the number of blankets tested per person, so I would urge Fifers to bring their blankets along to be tested. It’s free, each blanket only takes a few minutes to test, but will give you extra peace of mind that you will be safe when using them.

“A block adapter exchange scheme has been introduced for this year’s project. If a block adaptor is used with a number of plugs, the angle and weight can increase the stress on the socket. Combined with the potential excess heat of multiple plugs, the adaptor could be a fire hazard. It's safer to use a bar adaptor on a lead, however, care should be taken to never overload the total current rating of any adaptor. If you use a block type adapter you should bring it along with your blankets. If you surrender it to us, you’ll be given a new 4 way bar adapter”.

Crew Manager John Dempsey, from Scottish Fire and Rescue’s Community Safety Department, added, “Fire crews still attend house fires caused by electric blanket failures. All the blankets that failed had the potential to cause a fire. Acting on our advice, all these householders removed the unsafe blankets from their house which is a great bonus for the safety of the Fife community.

“One of the main reasons older blankets can be unsafe is that they don’t have overheat protection found in newer blankets. This safety system cuts power to the blanket in the event of a malfunction reducing the risk of it catching fire. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if your blanket meets the current safety standards and if in any doubt, bring it along for testing." Testing events will be held in venues across Fife throughout the year. For further information visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/electricblankets or phone 01592 583141.