Published on:
21
November 2012
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards in partnership with Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service are holding Electrical Block Adaptor Swap and Electric Heated Blanket Test events this week.
Consumers are invited to come along to the Thistle Centre (bus station entrance) in Stirling on Thursday 22nd November or Clackmannanshire Community Health Care Centre in Sauchie on Friday 23rd November.
Anyone who brings along old or damaged electrical block adaptors for destruction will be given a free bar adaptor. Staff from Trading Standards and the Fire Service will be available to give advice on electrical safety. All consumers will have the opportunity to book a home fire safety check with the Fire Service.
Gems Engineering will be on site to test your electric blanket, and replacement blankets or 50% discount vouchers will be issued to anyone whose blanket is unsafe. Gems engineers have wide knowledge of the problems that can occur with electric blankets and are keen to encourage their safe use to prevent accidents.
The project is being part sponsored by the Electrical Safety Council's (ESC) Fire Safety Fund which supports electrical fire prevention schemes at local level that aim to effectively tackle the causes of electrically related fires.
For further safety advice on electric blankets go to the ESC's website www.esc.org.uk/public/ and click on 'Guides and Advice' where you can download a free 'electric blanket safety' leaflet, or telephone the consumer helpline on 0203 463 5100.
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Enterprise and Environment Convenor, said: "Our main priority in undertaking these events is to raise awareness of the importance of electrical safety in the home as old and overloaded adaptors can be a serious fire hazard.
"Visitors to the Thistle Centre and Clackmannanshire Community Health Care Centre will be given the opportunity to hand in an old-style block adaptor that they are still using at home and swap it for a newer multi-way version.
"We are all using an ever increasing number of electrical devices, from televisions and computers to game consoles and mobile phones, many of which come with chargers which need plugged into the power supply. With a corresponding increasing in the use of multi-way adaptors, it is important that these too are safe and in proper working order.
"With the weather turning colder there will be an increase in the use of electric blankets. It's vitally important that these are tested to ensure that they are safe. All partners hope the event days in Stirling and Clackmannanshire will raise awareness of electrical safety and prevent electrical fires. I'd urge local people to take advantage of this special offer and have their block adaptors checked and if necessary have one replaced for free."
The supply of blankets and bar adaptors are subject to availability. Only one of each item will be supplied per household. However, testing can be carried out on more than one blanket and more than one block adaptor can be handed in for destruction. All blankets that fail will be disposed of on behalf of the consumer.
The Trading Standards Team can be contacted on 0845 277 7000 or by email at tradingstandards@stirling.gov.uk.