A winter accessory that must be handled with care. The UK charity “Electrical Safety First” warns of the dangers of certain electric blankets sold on the internet which can cause electrocution. Many Brits have resorted to this purchase this winter due to rising energy costs.
“Don’t buy second-hand blankets that no longer meet safety standards,” the association advises.
“When looking to buy an electric blanket, it’s important to get it from a reputable seller and check that it’s labeled to standard UK safety standards,” the organization further advises.
Calls for new regulations to be established. “Without changes to the law, people will continue to be exposed to hazards and remain vulnerable,” said Lesley Rudd, executive director of Electrical Safety First.
9 blankets tested out of 11 non-compliant
Eleven blankets were tested in total by the association. They all come from second-hand sites, like Amazon or eBay. Based on the results, ‘Electrical Safety First’ estimates that 9 out of 11 blankets should not be sold as is in the UK. In question, a bad design, bad labeling, bad packaging or even badly indicated instructions.
Three blankets also present an electrocution hazard, according to the association. One of them had a “wire, fuse and plug problem” while another had a “questionable adapter that could give users electric shock.”
The association provides a list of best practices and avoidances for users of electric blankets. In particular, he advises using a cover whose cables are damaged, whose fabric shows signs of discoloration or is torn.
Increased sales this winter
Recommendations for the purchase of electric blankets are not trivial, since the UK is going through a particularly cold winter and during which energy costs increase considerably.
Many Britons have turned to buying electric blankets this winter to keep warm and keep the bill from running too high, but most have turned to reselling sites like Amazon, AliExpress, eBay and even Wish, highlighted by “Electrical Safety First” . according to the BBC.
Labor MP Ian Mearns introduced a bill last week to better regulate the sale of electric blankets.
Source: BFM TV
