One in three electric blankets tested by safety experts at special events held in Cornwall proved to be defective.

Over the past few weeks, Cornwall Trading Standards and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service held free electric blanket safety checks and safety advice at 10 events including in Liskeard and Saltash.

Faults were found with one in three of 172 electric blankets tested including bare wires, faulty controllers, no overheating protection, insulation breakdown of the internally stitched-in wires and known product recalls that consumers had missed from not completing guarantee cards.

Cornwall Council quality standards manager Jane Tomlinson said: ‘We are pleased that residents, many of them elderly, have taken the opportunity to test their aging and untested electric blankets before putting them back on their beds ready for winter.’

Community Energy Plus’s Smart Warmth project has funded 24 replacement electric blankets.

The replacement blankets were sourced through HBH Woolacotts, who also donated ten £20 gift vouchers for a prize draw at each event.

The 10 winners were all delighted.

HBH Woolacotts also provided 10% off discount vouchers for both small electrical appliances and to replace blankets that failed.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager Katie Hoskins added: ‘It is important to raise awareness of the dangers associated with defective or older style appliances. This has highlighted the importance of having electric blankets tested every three years or serviced regularly.

‘As part of these safety events we have also been offering our free home fire safety service across Cornwall which includes free fitment of smoke detection, if required, on all levels of your home and other important safety advice. If you have any concerns re fire safety in your home please contact 0800 3581 999 for more advice.’

Local Police also offered community safety advice on doorstep selling and dealing with cold callers as well as security marking valuables to aid tracing the owner if items are stolen. Nuisance call advice was also provided by CPR call blocker which is a UK company specialising in call blocking devices.

If you would like to be contacted about future free electric blanket safety checks in your area please call 0300 1234 191 and leave your details.