| Wimbledon Fire Station, Age Concern and E.on |
Electric Blankets - Keep Warm, Keep Well Campaign.
On the 2nd January 2009, as part of the London Fire Brigade’s drive to install smoke alarms into homes, Wimbledon White Watch carried out a Home Fire Safety Risk Assessment in an elderly couple’s home.
During the visit and following a fire safety talk an electric blanket was brought out. The blanket was over 3 years old, hadn’t been serviced and needed replacing.
Age Concern who work alongside E.on, the energy company, run a campaign called Keep Warm, Keep Well, where people (the elderly in particular) can bring their old blankets along to a local hall, have them tested and replaced if required. The date for the ‘Drop in Centre’ had passed, so we contacted Age Concern (Merton) on the couple’s behalf.
and arranged for a new blanket to be delivered.
Old or damaged electric blankets cause more than 5,000 house fires a year and older people (aged 65+) are at greatest risk, with six times the national average of fatal injuries. Despite these startling statistics, it has been identified that many older people are unaware blankets need testing regularly or are unable to meet the costs associate – even a basic safety check can cost up to £35 which is almost half the weekly state pension. Working together, both Age Concern and E.ON are able to use their expertise to educate and benefit older people.
Age Concern may be able to assist you with a replacement electric blanket or further information;
Website: Age Concern (Merton)
Telephone: 0208 648 5792
Lynne Bainbridge will be more than happy to deal with any enquiries you may have.
Electric blanket campaign partner, E.on
If you wish to visit their site site please just type in London Fire Brigade in Google.