Electric blankets
Electric blankets
What are the main causes of electric blanket fires in the home?
Old and damaged electric blankets have caused thousands of fires over the years. Poorly maintained electric blankets are also responsible for deaths and injuries. Some blankets have become faulty because they have been used other than in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, others because of their age and quite a lot of accidents are caused due to how the blankets are stored.
Who is most at risk?
People aged 65 years or more are at greatest risk, with seven times the national average of fatal injuries and twice the national average of non-fatal injuries.
Accident statistics
Many electric blankets are potentially lethal. When you consider that the IEE wiring regulations has recognised that most people in the domestic situation are not considered skilled or instructed persons.
Old and damaged electric blankets have caused thousands of fires over the years. Poorly maintained electric blankets are also responsible for deaths and injuries. Some blankets have become faulty because they have been used other than in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, others because of their age and quite a lot of accidents are caused due to how the blankets are stored.
Who is most at risk?
People aged 65 years or more are at greatest risk, with seven times the national average of fatal injuries and twice the national average of non-fatal injuries.
Accident statistics
Many electric blankets are potentially lethal. When you consider that the IEE wiring regulations has recognised that most people in the domestic situation are not considered skilled or instructed persons.
DTI research shows that in one year in the late 1990’s faulty electric blankets caused more than 5,000 fires:
- There were 19 deaths (compared with 32 in 1985).
- There were 91 non-fatal injuries (compared with 438 in 1985).
- The majority of non-fatal injuries (76%) are minor in nature, usually involving smoke inhalation, and do not involve admittance to hospital.
- At least 99 per cent of electric blanket fires are believed to involve blankets that are more than 10 years old.
- 89 per cent of the people who died were over 65.
In tests carried out on over 50,000 electric blankets, 70 per cent failed safety tests, and 40 per cent were found unsuitable for further use.
Ownership
- Sales of electric blankets have fallen from over 1 million in the early 1980s to nearer 800,000 from 1990 onwards, mainly because many people have invested in a better heating system such as central heating and double glazing.
- There are in the region of 10 million blankets in use in the UK. About 30 per cent of these are more than 10 years old (including around 500,000 over 20 years old).
- Older people and those on low incomes are much more likely to have an electric blanket.
Safety Awareness
What sort of things can you do to make sure you are using the electric blanket safely?
What you should do is have your electric blanket tested after you have stored it over summer.
You have to make sure that anyone who tests your equipment has the appropriate electrical training behind them and are up to date with the current safety and BS 7671 wiring regulations requirements. Having a look at the electric blanket before use, ie. no signs of damage, plug not damaged etc. Could safe your life.
If you know of a person who may be at risk could you help them to achieve electrical safety this winter when they dig out their electric blanket?
Date Created 2010-07-06 09:56:57.0
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