Electric Blanket Safety

Do you have an electric blanket?
Do you know an elderly person who has one?
Has the blanket been checked for safety lately?

Make sure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines regarding the use, maintenance and servicing of electric blankets. If you know of an elderly person who uses one, help to ensure that they do the same.

Did you know?

Each year 20 people are killed and over 250 injured in blanket fires.
Faulty blankets cause more than 1,000 house fires a year.
Research has shown that electric blankets ten years old (or older) still in use in homes in Britain are responsible for 99% of the fires caused by electric blankets.

Always buy new. Second-hand blankets may not be safe.
Look out for the European certification mark, such as the new British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) safety mark on the blanket and packaging. This will mean it conforms to the latest Europen safety standards.
Make sure the blanket has an overheating protection system - this offers an additional level of safety. (All new blankets now have this feature).

Always read the instructions carefully - and follow them.
Older underblankets, designed only for pre-heating, must be switched off and disconnected before getting into bed.
Never use an underblanket as an overblanket.
Make sure the underblanket is kept flat. Tie it to the mattress where appropriate.
Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket.
Never use the blanket if it is wet or creased.
Never switch it on to dry it out.
Only leave a blanket switched on all night if it has thermostatic controls for safe all-night use.

An underblanket can be left tied to the bed all year round if you wish.
To store an overblanket for the summer, roll it or fold it with as few creases as possible and keep it in a dry place.
Store seperately from other bedding if possible, or keep on top to avoid it being creased and damaged.
Either type of blanket can be stored by putting it on a spare bed - but make sure it stays dry and flat.

Have the blanket checked or replace it if:

It displays the old BEAB safety mark - a round symbol. This will be over 10 years old and will not comply with the latest safety standard. (The new sign is white capital letters on a black background).
The fabric is worn or frayed.
Remember, older blankets are much more likely to have one or more of these faults.
There are scorch marks anywhere.
The tie tapes (where originally fitted) are damaged or missing.
The flex is worn or damaged.
Any connections are loose.
You are in any doubt.

7,338 electric blankets have been checked during the seven-year period 2000 to 2006.

2,952 failed the test and were removed from use, preventing 2,952 possible fires that had the potential to cause injury and death.

Electric blanket testing

Make sure your blanket is tested by an expert at least every three years.

A testing service is provided by the Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth Trading Standards Departments during a two week period each year, usually in September and October.

Electric blankets are not tested at any other time.

View electric blanket testing information...

Further information on electric blanket safety.