A SERIES of free events will be taking place throughout Cornwall, including Camelford, over the next few weeks to help owners of electric blankets to sleep soundly in their beds.

From Torpoint to St Ives, the free electric blanket testing events aim to give owners peace of mind, with council officers checking for signs of faults that could potentially lead to fire.

Last year’s safety checks found faults with a third of those tested — and with faulty electric blankets to blame for around 1,000 house fires a year in the UK, owners can’t afford to be complacent.

Cllr Sue James, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “Officers from Trading Standards and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have joined forces to host these events, which have proved very popular — and worthwhile — in the past.

“These free checks detect the faults that you won’t be able to see, such as the breakdown of the insulation protecting the heating cables and faulty controllers with no overheating protection.

“Electric blankets should be tested every three years, and the faults that were discovered with blankets in Cornwall last year were the same faults that have been attributed to house fires around the country.”

Over the last three years, there have been two house fires in Cornwall that were the result of faulty electric blankets.

Cllr James added: “Two incidents in three years may seem a small number. However, if fire happens to you, it can be devastating. Nationally, each year around 20 people die and 250 are injured as a result of fires caused by faulty electric blankets. If you have an electric blanket, bring it along to one of our safety checks and give yourself peace of mind.”

At the events, small home appliances can also be tested for a small charge of £1 per item, such as portable electric fires, plug-in radiators, fan heaters, toasters and kettles.

On Tuesday, September 26, an event will take place at the library in Camelford, from 9am until 12pm.

Other events include Torpoint community fire station, 9am until 12pm, and Looe community fire station, 1pm until 4pm, on Tuesday, September 19; Chy Trevail in Bodmin, from 1pm until 4pm, on Tuesday, September 26; Penryn Town Hall, from 9am until 12pm, and Helston community fire station, from 1pm until 4pm, on Tuesday, October 3.

The checks take around ten minutes and the safety events are open to all. Spaces can either be booked or people can just turn up on the day. For those who cannot make it to one of the venues, but have a minimum of five blankets for testing, they can be collected and returned from one address. This must be on the same day as the event closest to a town or village.

If a blanket or small appliance fails on the day and needs replacing, teams are offering 10% money off vouchers and entry into a prize draw to win a £20 gift voucher, courtesy of HBH Woolacotts.

For more information, call 01208 893133 or visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire