Merton council issues Winter warning
A timely alert has been issued by Merton council after half of all electric blankets they recently tested for elderly people in the borough were unsafe and posed a potential fire hazard.
In a joint initiative with Age Concern Merton and the London Fire Brigade, the council's Trading Standards team offered residents free electric blanket safety tests. Of the 51 blankets tested, 25 failed.
Owners of the blankets which did not meet the required standard were given one replacement per household. The new blankets were funded by the London Fire Brigade.
The council recommends to residents that electric blankets should be tested regularly and replaced once they are over 10 years of age.
Merton Council cabinet member for adult social care and health Councillor Linda Kirby said: "With winter fast approaching I encourage all residents to have their electric blankets tested.
" Residents who attended this event have been reassured that their existing blankets are safe or that the replacement blanket they have been given meets important safety standards."
For more information about the work of Trading Standards, including product safety, visit www.merton.gov.uk/tradingstandards.
November 16, 2011