KENT Fire and Rescue Service is issuing electric blanket safety warnings following an incident in Swanscombe.
Two fire crews were sent to Sun Road on Saturday (December 10) just before 3pm, to reports of an electric blanket alight.
The occupant had switched the blanket on but then put something on top of the bed causing the blanket to overheat, starting a small fire in the mattress.
Thames-side watch manager, David Mayhew, who attended the incident, said: “Just three breaths of toxic smoke from a fire can render you unconscious and for this reason, I would advise all residents never to try to tackle a fire themselves but to get out, stay out and call the fire service out.”
He added: “I would strongly urge anyone planning to use an electric blanket to have it tested to ensure it is in good working order before it is used and to follow our safety tips to avoid a fire of this type happening to them.”
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is advising people to always follow the manufacturers’ instructions and to never sleep with an electric blanket switched on.
Households should never use a blanket which is more than 10 years old and must always store an electric blanket flat or rolled loosely, to prevent damage to internal wiring.
For more information, call 0800 9237000 or visit kent.fire-uk.org
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