OLDER people on South Tyneside are being offered free safety checks on their electric blankets.
South Tyneside Council's trading standards department and Age Concern is offering the service to people aged over 50.
Last year, 232 blankets were tested and 88 had repairable faults, but four were so dangerous they could not be used again.
Councillor Peter Boyack, lead member for neighbourhood services, is urging people to take advantage of the tests before winter arrives.
He said: "Not all electric blankets are death-traps. Once identified by our tests many of the faults can be put right quickly and easily.''
Blankets will be tested from Monday to Fridaynext week, between 9.30am and 3pm, at South Shields Central Library and the Age Concern Day Centre, Palmers Community Hospital, Jarrow.
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