Electric Blankets And House Fires
But be careful don t risk a fire.
Electric blankets and house fires. June had asked her husband to go into the bedroom to see if the electric blanket was on. These fires typically occur due to any one of the following reasons. Though electric blankets can be a great cost effective way to keep warm and cosy it s important to use them with care. Electric blanket danger signs.
A taranaki mother and her 15 month old son were home less than 10 minutes before a faulty electric blanket started a fire that destroyed their home. About 8 30pm last friday crews from inglewood. Onfocus the chilly temperatures means it s time to bring out the electric blankets and heating pads. Never place a baby on an electric blanket they can dehydrate and get burns at fairly low temperatures.
Electric blankets have started fires when left unattended or left on during the day. Electric blankets account for over 5000 fires a year in the home and you can prevent these by taking some simple steps. The 89 year old tried put it out with a bucket of water but soon after collapsed as thick smoke filled the room. The number of heating equipment fires each year is.
However a search of the internet for news of electric blanket caused fires will reveal a surprising number of print and video news stories reporting house fires and deaths caused by what the fire investigator determined to be an electric blanket. However 500 home fires are caused by improper use of these products according to the electrical safety foundation international esfi. A deadly 2010 fire in walnut creek california started when an electric blanket. Store electric blankets flat rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring.
Incontinent people should not use electric blankets. Never use an electric blanket when it s wet. As the cold weather spreads across the country through the autumn and winter many people will be dusting off their electric blankets ready for use. I e improperly installed wiring faulty control unit.
It was but had sparked a fire that quickly overwhelmed jim. Fire risks of electric blankets explained. According to state farm insurance heating equipment including electric blankets is the second leading cause of house fires in the u s. Like any electric appliance electric blankets can spark fires in the home that damage property and threaten lives.
The fact is there are fire risks in using an electric blanket. Many of those fires involved electric blankets that were more than a decade old. This cause is rather uncommon and the least often occurring cause in cases of electric blanket fires.