Some 50 per cent of electric blankets which were tested for safety as part of the London Fire Brigade and Croydon Council's Fire Safety Month were found to be dangerous.
Of the 88 blankets received for testing, 44 were found to be faulty and considered dangerous and one had no controls so could not be tested. The faults ranged from no overheat protection to damaged wiring and exposed heating elements.
Councillor Maggie Mansell , cabinet member for public health and protection, said: "If used many of these faulty blankets could have caused a serious fire and resulted in a death and injury."
December 6, 2001 12:01
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