Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards officers have teamed up with Age UK to provide free electric blanket testing this month.

Worried about those Christmas tree lights? the officers can test those for you too, just bring them along to one of the sessions. As well as protecting homes officers will also be on hand to protect people’s wallets as well with advice on getting the best deals on electricity and gas bills.

Jane Tomlinson, Trading Standards manager, said: “Whenever we run these free testing sessions we find that over a third of the electric blankets are unsafe. Electric faults can easily lead to overheating, house fires and electric shock and with the blankets usually being tucked away out of sight for most of the year it is important that they are checked before being used again.”

Staff from Age UK and Trading Standards are holding four safety sessions at Age UK Day Centres across Cornwall between Thursday, December 4 and Wednesday, 10 December. People are being encouraged to drop in for a coffee and chat while their electric blanket is being tested. There will also be a wide range of other useful advice and information available, including the advice on getting the best deal on energy bills.

The safety sessions are to be held between 10.00am and 2.00pm at:

 • Truro Day Centre on Monday, December 8.

• Newquay Day Centre on Wednesday, December 10.

For more information about the sessions please call 01872 266388