TRADING Standards staff are going under cover to identify potential killers in the home.

Every year approximately 6,000 fires take place in the home with around 20 deaths caused as a result of faulty electric blankets.

In nearly all the cases the fires were started by blankets which were more than 10 years old.

Current sources estimate that more than three million blankets of that age are still in circulation.

Now, from November 17-19, Bury Metro's Trading Standards Service will run three days of free tests for those who want to get their electric blankets checked out.

Appointments will need to be booked in advance and the testing will take place at Bury Town Hall's Elizabethan Suite, with qualified electricians on hand. Councillor Mike Connolly, Bury Council's Public Protection spokesman said: "Thousands of fires in the home could be stopped and loss of life prevented if only people took the time to check the safety of their electric blankets.

"Many perhaps just do not realise how old their blankets are and continue to use them, unaware that quite literally they have a potential killer in the home."

Minor repairs such as fuses and plugs will be dealt with by the electrician on site and, in the event of a blanket failing testing and being unsuitable for further use, a £5 Argos voucher will be offered towards the cost of a replacement.

Trading Standards will also be using the opportunity to promote home safety generally and offer advice and information about keeping warm in winter, particularly to the elderly.

Other subjects will be community policing and safety, fire service information as well as health promotion and consumer rights.

To make an appointment contact the Trading Standards office on 0161 253 5578.

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