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As the price of energy has skyrocketed, millions of Brits have turned to cost-effective ways to stay warm this winter, with many investing in electric blankets to avoid turning up the heating. However, as the winter chill settles in the UK, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue have issued an urgent safety warning over the fire risk of heated blankets. Testing conducted in partnership with Berkshire’s Public Protection Partnership (PPP) revealed 76 percent of the electric blankets checked failed to comply with safety guidelines.

Testing was provided by G.E.M.S (SW) Limited, a specialist company which has tested over 290,000 electric blankets across the UK.

Sites for the safety check were established at four different locations across Berkshire: Theale Community Fire Station, Newbury Fire Station, Wokingham Fire Station and Crowthorne Fire Station

Of the 17 blankets assessed in partnership with the fire service and PPP, only four passed the safety check with no fault. 13 blankets failed the test and were recommended to be unsafe for use. 

In addition, Berkshire Fire Service has advised homeowners to unplug electric blankets before going to bed or leaving their property.

The concerning findings were also echoed in an investigation conducted by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

The fire service tested 547 electric blankets, of which 188 failed a series of relevant safety checks. Funding from Public Health England meant the service was able to provide approved replacement blankets to a number of people involved in the testing sessions.

The East Sussex group has also warned users to check for scorch marks or discoloration on the fabric of blankets as an indication that the device should not be used.

Homeowners have been advised to check when they purchased their heated blanket as the product should be replaced a minimum of every ten years.

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Heated blankets have proved a popular alternative to turning up the thermostat this winter as energy prices have soared over the past year.

Experts from SleepSeeker have estimated Brits could benefit from the warmth of a “relatively powerful” electric blanket for the bargain cost of 70p a day.

Based on an estimate of eight hours usage, the blanket would cost just 23p a night, or £6.90 for an entire month.

SleepSeeker advised prospective buyers to invest in an electric blanket with a timer function if they hope to save as much money on energy costs as possible because the device will switch itself off after a set period, rather than running all night.

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Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue have launched a Winter Wise safety campaign to educate homeowners about the dangers of using alternative heating methods in a bid to save money.

Neil Whiteman, Safety Education Coordinater said: “We are already seeing evidence of people resorting to unconventional heating methods within the home to try and keep warm. 

“Firefighters discovered a family using disposable BBQs inside the home which resulted in them suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, while a house fire was started by the careless use of candles being used for lighting purposes.”

Data from the National Fire Chiefs Council revealed there were 99 fire-related fatalities in the last three months of 2021, a concerning 41 percent rise in deaths recorded over the same period for the previous year.

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