As winter approaches, many people are considering pulling out their electric blankets from storage.
Before putting them on the bed, Mount Maunganui fire fighters are encouraging people to get the blankets tested for safety.
'We deal with a number of fires caused by electric blankets each winter,” says Frank Ramage of the Mount Maunganui Fire Station.


Senior fire fighter Frank Ramage is urging people to get their electric blankets tested at Mount Maunganui Fire Station Sunday, May 9.

'We advise people who use electric blankets to have them tested before putting them on the bed. We also recommend people don't leave the blankets turned on once they get into bed and to make sure the bed is made properly to ensure the electric blanket doesn't have a fold which causes hot spots with the wires.”
Electricians will test electric blankets Sunday May 9 from 9am to 2pm at the Mount Maunganui Fire Station on Golf Rd. Cost of testing is a gold coin donation.