British client safety organisation Which? has discovered unsafe electrical blankets on the market by third-party sellers on on-line marketplaces together with AliExpress, Amazon, eBay and Want.
Electrical blankets are an energy-saving option to keep heat. However in a bid to save lots of much more cash, individuals could also be tempted to take a punt on extraordinarily low cost electrical blankets and throws. However a brand new warning says not solely are these low high quality – they might be unsafe.
“Electrical blankets have surged in reputation as individuals look to save cash throughout the price of residing disaster, however our newest analysis reveals that purchasing these merchandise cheaply on on-line marketplaces can put your security in danger,” mentioned Sue Davies, Head of Client Safety Coverage at Which?
In November and December 2022, Which? examined 11 low cost electrical blankets, heated throws and shawls priced between £13 and £21 and located eight of them to be poorly made, and a few doubtlessly harmful. Solely two of the budget-priced merchandise handed all the Which? checks.
Three of the blankets posed an electrical shock threat, one had wires that would simply be pulled out and others had been shoddily made, with out security marks, clear directions in English or security warnings.
As well as, two of the merchandise weren’t prone to preserve you heat in any respect, with solely 5% of their floor space truly heated.
Though the poor-quality blankets recognized by Which? have been faraway from sale (which suggests we will’t hyperlink to them) in case you purchased one of many following merchandise from AliExpress, you need to cease utilizing them instantly and request a refund from the vendor:
- Electrical blanket thicker heater physique hotter (£13)
- Electrical blanket 220v physique hotter (£21)
- 22V [sic] Heated electrical sheet (£18)
With no manufacturers and really generic names, it could be arduous to know for positive you probably have an affected mannequin, however you probably have bought one thing related lately, do test it over and watch out.
In case you’re contemplating shopping for an electrical blanket we’d advocate studying our electrical blanket shopping for information, which has hyperlinks to secure – however nonetheless budget-friendly – merchandise we’ve examined and reviewed.
Within the meantime, listed below are some fast suggestions for getting safely:
- Select a good vendor (don’t simply contemplate the web site itself)
- Test product critiques before you purchase (and be careful for faux critiques)
- Keep away from generic, unbranded merchandise
- Don’t attempt to save extra by shopping for one thing that’s suspiciously low cost
- Search for a CE or UKCA mark. The product must also have security info and washing directions
- In case you’re shopping for within the UK, make it possible for the product has a normal three-pin plug, not an adapter
- Test for unfastened wires and fraying earlier than use
For some secure shopping for choices, take a look at our critiques of the Glamhaus heated throw, the Cosi House electrical blanket and the Silentnight Consolation Management electrical blanket.