Carmarthenshire spotlight on electric blankets

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to have their electric blankets tested for free before the winter arrives.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is holding free testing events across Carmarthenshire during September and October.
Community fire safety officers will be checking electric blankets as well as providing free home safety advice and encouraging residents to sign up to a free home fire safety check.
Any defective blankets will be replaced with new.
The events are being held in partnership with Age Concern Sir Gâr, who will also be attending and offering information and advice on a range of issues.
Community fire safety officer Steve Winstone said: “It is extremely important that you have your electric blanket tested - especially if you have had it for a number of years.
“Electric blankets can have potentially life threatening faults such as defective overheat protection and exposed wires - and although figures show that faults are more common in older blankets, problems can still arise by misusing modern designed blankets through poorly wired plugs and broken switches.
“I would encourage anyone using an electric blanket to join us at any of our testing days to get their blankets tested free of charge.”
The events are being held between 10.30am and 2.30pm at the following venues:
• Wednesday, September 1: Holy Trinity Church, Newcastle Emlyn
• Thursday, September 2: Whitland Town Hall
• Monday, September 6: Ammanford Fire Station
• Tuesday, September 7: Pontyates Fire Station
• Wednesday, September 8: Llandovery Fire Station
• Tuesday, October 5: Carmarthen Fire Station
• Friday, October 8: Llandeilo Fire Station
• Monday, October 11: Kidwelly fire Station
• Friday, October 15: Llandysul Fire Station
• Friday, October 22: Tumble Fire Station
• Wednesday, November 3: Llanelli Fire Station
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is part of the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership which also includes the county council, police and other agencies. The aim is to make the county a safer place to live and work for both residents and visitors.
For further information on the above events contact community fire safety officer Steve Winstone on 0370 60 60 699.
Safety advice:
• Store electric blankets either flat or rolled up to protect the internal wiring.
• Only leave an electric blanket on overnight if it has thermostatic controls for safe all-night use, otherwise switch off and unplug before getting into bed.
• It is recommended to have electric blankets tested if over three years old, and replaced if over 10 years old.

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