Electric Blanket Amnesty Service in Newry
Accidental house fires claimed 8 lives in the last year across Northern Ireland the Southern Trust would like to remind the public of its free electric blanket amnesty service and the steps to take to prevent accidental fires.
Thursday 22 October 2015 at 11.00am Newry Altnaveigh House, Downshire Rd, Newry Tuesday 3 November 2015 at 11.00am Portadown Town Hall (Minor Hall), Edward Street. Wednesday 11 November 2015 at 11.00am Armagh Fire Station, Loughgall RdFurther information relating to electrical safety and fire prevention can be accessed from the Trust’s accident prevention webpage. This includes links to publications and interactive tools like the socket overload calculator and free mobile app produced by Electrical Safety First. Visit: www.southerntrust.hscni.net/livewell/1537.htm The electric blanket amnesty service is funded by the Public Health Agency and is coordinated by the Promoting Wellbeing Team. It is run in partnership with a range of statutory, voluntary and community based organisations including the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

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Thanks for the info Paul Malone. Here are some extra tips to help avoid electric blanket fires:
– Only use electric blankets that have been approved by a nationally recognized consumer safety agency. These agencies perform safety testing on electric blankets, so using blankets tested by them can ensure that the blanket is far less susceptible to starting fires.
– Do not keep an electric blanket turned on when it’s not being used.
– Carefully fold electric blankets after use to avoid damaging their coils, wiring or other components (as such damage could increase the risk of fire the next time that the blanket is used).
– Try to only use electric blankets with automatic shut-off functions to avoid having these blankets being left on for extended periods of time.
– Always sit or lay beneath electric blankets, rather than on top of them. Similarly, avoid stacking objects (particularly flammable objects like books) on top of electric blankets. Extra weight on top of electric blankets can increase the risk of coils, wiring or other components breaking, malfunctioning and starting fires.
– If the blanket appears to be discolored or starts smoking when in use, immediately unplug it and take it off of any bedding, carpet or rugs.