West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is hosting ten free testing events at selected venues across the county from Monday 21st October to Friday 1st November 2013.
 
Jackie Boyle, Community Fire Safety Officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said:
 
"Electric blanket fires may not be the most common incident we attend, but nationally, there are around 1000 fires each year caused by unsafe blankets and sadly, many people are injured and some even killed.
 
"It is often our older or more vulnerable residents who use electric blankets so even if you don't use an electric blanket yourself, please consider neighbours or relatives who do. Just because someone has been using their electric blanket for many years without a problem it doesn't mean that it's safe. We would certainly recommend replacing any blanket over 10 years old.
 
"We've doubled the number of testing events we're holding this year, so we are really urging people to take up the offer of a free test and give them and their families the peace of mind of knowing their blanket is safe and that they will be sleeping more safely at night."
 
Testing is by appointment only between 9.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Booking lines open from September 30th.
Please call 01243 642124 to find your nearest venue. [see below] All venues have disabled access.
 
For more information on the safe use and storage of electric blankets click HERE
 
Testing dates and venues:
Mon 21st Oct - Marriott House, Tollhouse Close, Chichester, PO19 1SG
Tues 22nd Oct - Laburnum Centre, Lyon Street, Bognor Regis, PO21 1UX
Wed 23rd Oct - East Preston Fire Station, North Lane, East Preston, BN16 1DA
Thurs 24th Oct - The Grange, Bepton Rd, Midhurst, GU29 9HD
Fri 25th Oct - Worthing Fire Station, Ardsheal Rd, Worthing, BN14 7RN
Mon 28th Oct - Glen Vue Centre, Railway Approach, East Grinstead, RH19 1BS
Tues 29th Oct - Lancing Parish Hall, South St, Lancing BN15 8AJ
Weds 30th Oct - AGE UK, Lavinia House, Duke St, Horsham, RH12 1GZ
Thurs 31st Oct - The Silver Birch Centre, Shackleton Road, Crawley RH10 5DF
Fri 1st Nov - Redwood Centre, Perrymount Rd, Haywards Heath RH16 3DN