Think winter safety this summer: free electric blanket checks return
Residents are being encouraged to take up the offer of a free electric blanket check, part of Oxfordshire County Council’s programme to ensure everyone is safe, as well as warm, this winter.
As electric blanket tests are normally very popular, they must be booked in advance to be guaranteed.
Sessions will be held at locations across the county. The full address and a specific time slot will be provided at time of booking:
September 2026:
- Monday 21: Thame
- Tuesday 22: Rose Hill, Oxford
- Wednesday 23: Banbury
- Thursday 24: Chipping Norton
- Friday 25: Abingdon
October 2026
- Monday 5: Didcot
- Tuesday 6: Barton, Headington
- Wednesday 7: Bicester
- Thursday 8: Witney
- Friday 9: Wantage
Of the 920 electric blankets tested at last year’s events, 338 failed safety assessments - a failure rate of 36.7 per cent, which is an increase from the previous year.
Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “This is something we have been offering for 26 years, free of charge, to our residents, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of it. If the condition of a blanket is allowed to deteriorate, there is a risk it could become faulty, posing a danger of injury or fire.
“Blankets and throws might fail a safety assessment for many reasons, and even quite new blankets can fail. This is why it’s important to have them regularly tested at one of our free annual events.
“We know electric blankets might not be top of your summer to-do list, but now is the perfect time to make sure yours is safe for winter.”
Appointments can be booked by visiting electric blanket testing, calling 01865 895999 (option three) or emailing duty.officer@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
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