Pre-bookable and free electric blanket safety checks are on offer from trading standards from today.

Due to Covid, they will collect blankets from your home, having posted a plastic bag and label in advance.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for community services and safety, said: "If the condition of a blanket is allowed to deteriorate there is the possibility it could become faulty, risking injury and fire. We want to ensure that electric blankets are still safe for use.

“Testing electric blankets has taken place in Oxfordshire for over 20 years. The failure rate is still over 20 per cent.

"Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with house fires started by old electric blankets in the past.”

Call 01865 895999 (option 1), or email: communityengagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk