News and press releases

Trading Standards invited residents to have their electric blankets tested free of charge and of the 41 brought in for testing seven failed the tests carried out by the Tyne and Wear Metrology laboratory. Problems included wrongly fitted fuses, exposure of heating elements and lack of protection against electric shock.

All blankets that failed have been replaced free of charge thanks to funding received from the Electrical Safety Council.

Councillor Joanne Bell, Lead Member for Innovation and Safer and Stronger Communities said: "This is an excellent service and although it is mainly elderly people who bring their electric blankets along for testing, it really is essential that everyone who uses them should have regular checks because faults do occur and these can be dangerous."

"The Council's Trading Standards Team enforces many of the safety laws that apply to consumer goods and I would urge anybody to contact them if they discover they have bought an unsafe product."

Trading Standards also give advice and assistance to consumers who have purchased faulty goods or services. Please call them on 0191 424 7896 or 0191 424 4401.

Pres/rr/rs/ts/abpr408ck