In a move to increase safety in the home this winter, Merton Council is holding two electric blanket testing sessions for its residents.
The two sessions will be as follows:
Monday 29 October 2007
10am-3pm
Pollards Hill Community Centre
South Lodge Avenue
Mitcham CR4 1LT
To make an appointment, residents can call 020 8545 4018

Tuesday 30 October 2007
10am-3pm
87 Kingston Road
Wimbledon SW19 1JN
No appointment is necessary.
Residents can just turn up

This is the 15th year that the council has organised the free tests and follows last year’s findings that one third of all blankets tested were found to be unsafe. Although not one of the main causes of house fires, there were 216 “accidental fires in dwellings” in 2005, mainly due to faulty appliances and leads*.

Merton Council trading standards manager Ian Murrell said: “As winter approaches and people start to use more electrical items such as electric blankets and heaters, we want to raise their awareness of safety in the home. By offering free testing, anyone can come along and ensure that they keep warm as well as safe in the coming months. Experts will be at the sessions to offer advice on any questions people may have about health, fire safety and crime reduction.”

*Source: Communities and Local Government Fire Statistics, United Kingdom 2005