Electric blanket warning
19 February 2013
Firefighters are repeating warnings about the
safe use of electric blankets after a fire in a Maidstone home last
night (Monday).
Fire crews were called at 9.15pm to
Shaftesbury Drive after the woman, believed to be in her late 90’s,
discovered her electric blanket had caught alight.
The woman went to her neighbour’s home to
raise the alarm and while the neighbour phoned the fire service was
unaware that the elderly lady had returned to her home.
Two fire engines from Maidstone arrived at the
detached bungalow within seven minutes. Crews wearing breathing
apparatus went into the smoke filled property and led the elderly
woman to safety.
Maidstone Watch Manager, Roy Ingram, said:
“The house was full of smoke when we arrived but thankfully this
lady had a lucky escape. Just three breaths of smoke can knock you
unconscious, with potentially fatal consequences.
“If you discover a fire in your home,
close the door on it as this will limit the damage. Get out of your
home and call the fire service out. Never go back into your home
it’s not worth getting hurt or risking your life.”
Firefighters used a hose reel to tackle the
blaze and positive pressure ventilation fan to clear smoke from the
bungalow.
It is believed the fire started due to an
fault in an electric blanket.
Roy added: “Fit smoke alarms on every floor of
your home, test them weekly and never remove the batteries.”
Follow our safety tips if you do plan on using
an electric blanket have it checked on a regular basis and look out
for danger signs such as scorch marks or fraying:
- Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions
and never sleep with an electric blanket switched on, unless it has
a safety thermostat control and is designed for sleeping
- Never use a blanket that is more than 10
years old, and check the wiring/leads regularly for damage
- Always store an electric blanket flat or
rolled loosely, to prevent damage to internal wiring
- Make sure that electric blankets are
correctly secured to the mattress using the ties provided, to
prevent creasing/pinching wiring
- For more electric blanket safety advice go to
the Directgov website
Fire crews will be visiting neighbouring
properties giving free home fire safety advice or you can
call us free on 0800 923 7000 or go to http://www.kent.fire-uk.org/