Electric blanket catches fire

AN elderly Dunedin couple were treated for smoke inhalation after an electric blanket caught fire at their home on Wednesday night.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said they were called just before midnight to the Brockville property.

When crews arrived, the electric blanket was ablaze and the house was filled with smoke, but firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flaming blanket, she said.

Smoke alarms in the house were working.

St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said two elderly patients were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Roslyn Senior Station Officer Pete Douglas said in these situations the best thing to do was to get out of the house as quickly as possible, close doors behind you and call 111.

‘‘Don’t try to put the fire out. Leave the firefighting to emergency personnel.’’

Fire risk management officer Stuart Ide said he did not have an electric blanket in his house.‘‘There’s nothing wrong with a hot water bottle.’’

But Mr Ide was happy to offer the following tips for staying safe with electric blankets this winter:

Get your blankets checked by an electrician before using them. Most electricians will be happy to perform an electrical safety check.

Perform a visual inspection on your blanket when you haul it out at the start of winter. If you see any brown spots or kinks in the wiring, do not use the blanket, as this indicates electrical issues.

If the blanket has any especially hot spots when turned on, or does not work on any of the heat settings, do not use it.

Make sure the blanket is fitted tightly, and flat on the bed.

Do not use any blanket with broken insulation on the controller’s wiring.

Never, ever sleep with an electric blanket on.

At the end of winter, store the blanket rolledup, not folded.