Lib Dem Councillor Encourages Residents to test their blankets

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Aug 2005

By having your blanket tested, could save your live.

The annual testing of electric blankets, which was first introduced to Epping Forest District Council by Lib Dem Councillor Janet Whitehouse, will be starting on Tuesday 6 September.

According to research carried out by the DTI on average 99% of Electric Blanket deaths are caused by blankets over 10 years old and 89 per cent of the people who die are over 65.

Cllr Janet Whitehouse said "Every year a high proportion (70%) of the blankets are found to be faulty. I would encourage everyone who has an electric blanket to have it tested. This scheme is important as it saves lives."

You can get your Electric Blankets tested at the following venues:

Tues 6 Sept

Loughton Leisure Centre, Traps Hill 10-12 noon

Buckhurst Hill Primary Health-care Centre, Buckhurst Way 2-4pm

Thurs 8 Sept

Waltham Abbey Town Hall, Highbridge St 10-12 noon

Shelley School Community Hall, Shelley, Ongar 2-4pm

Wed 14 Sept

St Mary's Church Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois 10-12 noon

Community Hall, Pelly Court, Hemnall St, Epping 2-4pm