Summary Report on the Wealden Electric Blanket Testing Scheme 2008
Setting the Scene: Wealden District Council has been involved with electric blanket testing for over ten years. The scheme has become a partnership project and Wealden has taken on a facilitating and organisational role. The main partners are The Safer Wealden Partnership, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, Anchor Staying Put, Care for the Carers, Department of Works and Pensions and Trading Standards. Scale of the problem: In East Sussex 26 house fires have been caused by electric blankets in the last ten years. The Electric Blanket Test Results 2008 During one week in October 2008 ten different venues were visited. 5 of the venues were fire stations. Venues No. of blankets tested No. of blankets passed with no faults 40 51 26 26 55 198 61% No. of blankets repaired No. of blankets failed
Westham Hall Hailsham Fire Station Uckfield Fire Station Polegate Hall Groombridge Hall Wadhurst Fire Station Heathfield Fire Station East Hoathly Hall Crowborough Fire Station Nutley Hall TOTALS PERCENTAGES INITIAL FAILURES OVERALL FAILURE RATE (Blankets recommended not to be used)
33 27 35 45 31 12 32 9 52 50 326 39% 39%
1 0 0 0 0 1 0%
19 29 17 15 47 127 39%
Evaluation of the event: 21 people completed a customer satisfaction survey form. The results are as follows:1. Advertising information of the event Excellent 24% Good 66% Fair 5% Below expectations 5%
2. Suitability of the venues Excellent 57% Good 43% Fair 0% Below expectations 0%
3. Quality of service (9% did not answer) Excellent 67% Good 24% Fair 0% Below expectations 0%
4. Information on the stands (10% did not answer) Excellent 52% Good 24% Fair 14% Below expectations 0%
5. Courtesy and politeness of the staff involved Excellent 76% Good 24% Fair 0% Below expectations 0%
6. The overall service of the electric blanket testing (9% did not answer) Excellent 62% Good 29% Fair 0% Below expectations 0%
A bit about you survey… 12 white females and 9 white males completed this part of the form, with 82% aged between 65-74 and 18% aged 75+.
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Around 350 energy efficient light bulbs were also given out during the week. The figures show that a shuddering 39% of blankets tested failed. The total number of blankets tested was 327. The independent blanket testing engineer advised us that for a rural area this continues to be a high turnout rate. Marketing and advertising of this event was supported by Parish and Town Councils, older peoples clubs, Post offices, libraries, leisure centres, GP surgeries and newspaper articles. The budget did not permit paid advertising of this scheme. The benefit team received 23 referrals throughout the week.
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Comments on customer satisfaction surveys included:"It is more important this year - some of us older people are using electric blankets and turning the heating down to keep warm" "Good service - especially with rising fuel bills - blanket cheaper option!" "Very, very good service wanted testing in Pevensey Bay" "Charming receptionists!" "Didn't realise my blanket was so dangerous!" "I think its a wonderful wonderful idea - so glad I came. Good service. It could save my life" "Excellent service - with heating costing more" "Jolly good idea - will come again next year" "Very good service. Well organised. Congratulations to the Council!" "Good as mine has passed! Hate to think I'd be in bed with a dangerous one!" "Very well organised! Excellent to come and get my blanket tested, I'm 91 years old!" "Didn't see any adverts - told about it by a friend"
Past Results:It is interesting to compare numbers of blankets and failure rates over the last 6 electric blanket schemes. Despite the destruction of the failed blankets (with the owners permission) the failure rate remains fairly constant:Year 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2000 Amount of blankets 441 Blankets 395 Blankets 463 Blankets 459 Blankets 500 Blankets 411 Blankets Failure Rate 45% 48% 49% 45% 53% 47%
Conclusions Generally the feedback is tremendously supportive of the scheme, with 100% of people thinking that overall service was excellent or good. It is proposed that the project can be repeated in 2009. If funding is restricted the testing period could be shortened from 5 days to 4 days. Acknowledgements Thanks to Clive McDonald from “’Global Electronic Manning Services” and Dave from Anchor who added technical support and everyone who worked hard to make this week a success.
Sophie Hepworth Specialist Environmental Health Officer Wealden District Council Vicarage Lane Hailsham East Sussex BN27 2AX
November 2008