Pulling the plug on unsafe electric blankets
16/01/13
Did you know that older people are six times more likely than anyone else to die in a house fire caused by a faulty electric blanket?
Following a successful bid by Derbyshire County Council Adult Care and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Department of Health has provided funding which will be used to carry out Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) of electric blankets, the funding will also be used to provide a 'plush fleece topper' if blankets fail the important safety test.
FREE fleece toppers will be issued on a first come first serve basis, to anyone over the age of 60 or registered disabled, attending one of the special testing days being held at Fire Stations throughout Derbyshire.
Buxton Fire Station 30 January 2013 - 09:30 - 17:00 hours
Ilkeston Fire Station 4 February 2013 - 09:00 - 13:00 hours
Alfreton Fire Station 4 February 2013 - 13:30 - 17:00 hours
Chesterfield Fire Station 11 February 2013 - 09:30 - 17:00 hours
Long Eaton Fire Station 13 February 2013 - 09:30 - 17:00 hours
Swadlincote Fire Station 15 February 2013 - 09:30 - 17:00 hours
Prior to testing, blanket owners will be required to sign an 'acceptance form' confirming they are happy for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to dispose of their blanket, should it fail the PAT test.
As well as a welcoming cup of tea or coffee, attendees can also benefit from fire safety advice provided by Community Safety Officers and Volunteers and information provided by Age UK.
So if you are over 60 years of age and or registered disabled, take a big step towards sleeping safely at night and pull the plug on your unsafe electric blankets - come along and let us check if your blanket is safe.
You can download a copy of this press release below.
All documents are provided in pdf format, you will require a pdf reader such as Adobe Reader to view the files, Adobe Reader can be downloaded here.
NOTE TO REPORTERS /EDITORS
DFRS welcome media presence at any of the above events to help raise awareness of the dangers of faulty electric blankets and highlight the good work relating to fire prevention that DFRS continue to undertake
We would also welcome coverage to promote the forthcoming events via radio/television/magazines/newsprint or online. To arrange an interview regarding these events please call Rachel Palmer, Press & Communications Officer on 07900 226081
