More free testing sessions for electric blankets and portable heaters will take place across Redcar and Cleveland on 6 and 7 February, with free replacements for any faulty or unsafe items offered to residents subject to availability.
Times and locations for the sessions are:
Monday, 6 February
- Redcar Hydrogen Hub, 1 Regents Walk, TS10 3FB (next to the Darlington building society), 9am – 12pm
- Guisborough Library, 90 Westgate, Guisborough, TS14 6AP, 1.00pm – 4.30pm
Tuesday, 7 February
- Loftus Town Hall, 81A High Street, Loftus, TS13 4HG, 9am - 12pm
- Golden Boy Green, Normanby Rodd, South Bank, Middlesbrough, TS6 6SD, 1pm –4.30pm
The sessions are funded by Electrical Safety First, the UK charity committed to reducing deaths, injuries, and damage caused by electricity.
The organisation provided the Council’s Trading Standards team with £5000 to deliver the testing sessions, including purchasing a limited number of free replacements for those electric blankets and/or heaters which fail safety tests.
In order to support residents with the rise in energy bills and ensure their safety this winter, the sessions will be based in Redcar, Guisborough, Loftus and South Bank to be accessible to as many residents as possible.
Free transport can be arranged for residents struggling to get to the venues.
The sessions are available solely to Redcar and Cleveland residents, and appointments are required. Those requiring transport should inform the team when making the appointment.
The testing will be performed by Clive Macdonald, managing Director at G.E.M.S Limited, while representatives from Victim Care & Advice Services, Cleveland Police, Age UK and the Council will be attending the sessions to provide advice and support on the Cost of Living Crisis and answer any questions residents might have.
Cabinet member for Health and Welfare, Cllr Steve Kay said:
“We are very grateful to Electrical Safety First for their funding which allowed us to run these free sessions across the borough. Electric blankets and portable heaters, although an efficient way to stay warm with the rise in energy and gas bills, can represent a fire hazard if they are faulty. We strongly encourage anyone owning either of those to get them tested and avoid any potential fire accidents.”
Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First said:
“The cost-of-living crisis means people are using various ways of keeping energy bills down, but they may end up paying a much higher price than expected. For example, as bills rise, some will use a portable heater as an alternative to heating the whole house and, while not innately dangerous, they can cause devastating fires if not used with care. And when money is tight, it’s likely many will unknowingly purchase unsafe items online, bring out old items stored in the loft or shed, which may no longer be safe, or buy unsafe second-hand goods – putting lives at risk. By funding this event by Redcar Borough Council, we can provide direct support that will help keep people safe.”
To make an appointment, please call the Trading Standards Team on 01287 612489 or email tradingstandards@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk