Guidence and Advice on Fire Safety: HERTS Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards have issued a safety warning to the elderly over electric blankets.
The winter warmers cause thousands of fires in the UK every year and research has shown that the majority of these are caused by blankets that are more than 10- years-old and that people aged 65 or more are at greatest risk.
Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Protection Roy Wilsher said: €As the cold weather spreads across the country, many people will be dusting off their electric blankets to keep warmer at night. While it's important that people stay warm,
"I would like to remind everyone to take care when using electric blankets as they can be dangerous if used incorrectly or irresponsibly.€
Tips include: make sure that the switch/heat control hangs freely, and that the electric flex is not twisted across the blanket or tucked under the mattress or covers; switch off any under blankets before getting into bed; never use the blanket if it is wet, soiled or creased; never switch a wet blanket on to dry it out; never use a blanket with scorch marks or exposed elements; never use a hot water bottle and electric blanket together - even if the blanket has been switched off; and ensure blankets are serviced once a year.
Cllr Richard Thake, cabinet member for community protection, said: €Using an old, damaged or faulty blanket can have devastating consequences. Herts County Council is urging people to follow this simple advice to reduce the risk of fire in their homes and to pass the information on, particularly to elderly relatives, friends and neighbours so that they are aware of the potential dangers too.€
For more fire safety advice call 0300 123 4046 or visit hertsdirect.org/fire
One of the most important thing households can implement is fire safety routines. This includes installing and testing smoke alarms to ensure they are in proper working order and that they are inspected on a regular schedule. This holds true for purchasing fire extinguishers, ensure all household members know how to use them, testing them to see if they work, and ensuring all household members know where they are. In the case of fire-blankets, though, this is the easiest fire safety suggestion because they do not need inspections and they do not have batteries that could drain.
Fire Blanket Safety Kit Additions
When creating a fire safety kit, fire blankets are the most useful and the most overlooked addition. Therefore, fire-blanket safety is not addressed often enough in residential homes. One of the best places to keep a fire blanket is in the kitchen. That way, if a grease fire breaks out, the blanket can extinguish it quickly. When fires get out of control, the fire blanket can be wrapped around a person's body in order to smother the flames. This type of fire blanket safety is easily practices when added to safety kits, even when small children are participating in home fire drills. All that needs to be done is wrap the person in the blanket, and roll them on the floor or on the ground.
Blanket Safety Storage Ideas
In order to best determine where blankets should be stored throughout a residential location, consumers should first look at all potential flame sources throughout their home. That way, they can ensure blanket safety is occurring near all of these sources. Some additional suggestions beyond keeping a blanket in the kitchen include storing one next to wood stoves, fireplaces, grills, pellet stoves, and other areas of the home where sparks could occur.
What Are Blankets Made From?
The most common materials blankets are made from are fiberglass, though some are still created using wool. While some firefighters recommend that a blanket be replaced as soon as it has been used, particularly in the case of older wool blankets, blankets can be used more than once. In the case of teaching blanket safety it's best not to take any chances and replace blankets that are damaged. That way, consumers know for certain the blanket will work properly should another fire break out.
The winter warmers cause thousands of fires in the UK every year and research has shown that the majority of these are caused by blankets that are more than 10- years-old and that people aged 65 or more are at greatest risk.
Chief Fire Officer and Director of Community Protection Roy Wilsher said: €As the cold weather spreads across the country, many people will be dusting off their electric blankets to keep warmer at night. While it's important that people stay warm,
"I would like to remind everyone to take care when using electric blankets as they can be dangerous if used incorrectly or irresponsibly.€
Tips include: make sure that the switch/heat control hangs freely, and that the electric flex is not twisted across the blanket or tucked under the mattress or covers; switch off any under blankets before getting into bed; never use the blanket if it is wet, soiled or creased; never switch a wet blanket on to dry it out; never use a blanket with scorch marks or exposed elements; never use a hot water bottle and electric blanket together - even if the blanket has been switched off; and ensure blankets are serviced once a year.
Cllr Richard Thake, cabinet member for community protection, said: €Using an old, damaged or faulty blanket can have devastating consequences. Herts County Council is urging people to follow this simple advice to reduce the risk of fire in their homes and to pass the information on, particularly to elderly relatives, friends and neighbours so that they are aware of the potential dangers too.€
For more fire safety advice call 0300 123 4046 or visit hertsdirect.org/fire
One of the most important thing households can implement is fire safety routines. This includes installing and testing smoke alarms to ensure they are in proper working order and that they are inspected on a regular schedule. This holds true for purchasing fire extinguishers, ensure all household members know how to use them, testing them to see if they work, and ensuring all household members know where they are. In the case of fire-blankets, though, this is the easiest fire safety suggestion because they do not need inspections and they do not have batteries that could drain.
Fire Blanket Safety Kit Additions
When creating a fire safety kit, fire blankets are the most useful and the most overlooked addition. Therefore, fire-blanket safety is not addressed often enough in residential homes. One of the best places to keep a fire blanket is in the kitchen. That way, if a grease fire breaks out, the blanket can extinguish it quickly. When fires get out of control, the fire blanket can be wrapped around a person's body in order to smother the flames. This type of fire blanket safety is easily practices when added to safety kits, even when small children are participating in home fire drills. All that needs to be done is wrap the person in the blanket, and roll them on the floor or on the ground.
Blanket Safety Storage Ideas
In order to best determine where blankets should be stored throughout a residential location, consumers should first look at all potential flame sources throughout their home. That way, they can ensure blanket safety is occurring near all of these sources. Some additional suggestions beyond keeping a blanket in the kitchen include storing one next to wood stoves, fireplaces, grills, pellet stoves, and other areas of the home where sparks could occur.
What Are Blankets Made From?
The most common materials blankets are made from are fiberglass, though some are still created using wool. While some firefighters recommend that a blanket be replaced as soon as it has been used, particularly in the case of older wool blankets, blankets can be used more than once. In the case of teaching blanket safety it's best not to take any chances and replace blankets that are damaged. That way, consumers know for certain the blanket will work properly should another fire break out.
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