COMMUNITY fire safety officers in St Helens are urging people to swap their old electric blankets for free, new replacements.

A campaign is taking place during October to cut the number of fires, injuries and deaths caused by faulty blankets.

Free electric blanket tests are to be carried out at 30 venues around Merseyside, including St Helens, Newton-le-Willows and Haydock, and free replacement blankets will be exchanged for those over 10 years old or which are condemned as unsafe. Freephone lines are open now for appointments to be booked on either 0800 587 2361 or 0800 587 2362.

"A faulty electric blanket can kill you; at the very least it will lead to a fire that can cause serious injury and damage to your home," warned Divisional Officer Paul Joy, Partnership Co-ordinator for Merseyside Fire Service.

"We are determined to reduce the risk of fire in people's homes by identifying potentially lethal blankets - and for those whose blankets we condemn, or have old blankets, there will be a free replacement."

Paul, said: "Every year there are fires caused by faulty electric blankets, and nearly every fire results in serious injury. In the last couple of years four people have lost their lives and all were over the age of 70. Our older members of the community are particularly vulnerable to electric blanket fires". Research has shown that 99 per cent of electric blanket fires are caused by blankets more than 10 years old. "This means that if you have an electric blanket over 10 years old, you must have it replaced," said Paul.

"Every condemned blanket is potentially one less fire and one less death, which is why we're urging as many people as possible to take up this free offer".

The free safety tests will take place in venues throughout St Helens and Knowsley from Wednesday, October 17 to Saturday, October 27.

Callers will also be invited to book a free safety check of their homes, with the offer of free smoke alarms and kitchen timers.