Thirty Ealing residents will sleep safely this Christmas thanks to the action of Ealing Council’s Trading Standards.

Sixty per cent of electric blankets tested by Ealing Council’s Trading Standards service this week were found to be faulty.

In a joint operation with London Fire Brigade this week, an electrical safety expert discovered that 30 out of 50 electric blankets brought for testing were potentially deadly.

Twenty nine blankets were condemned and only one could be repaired. People with condemned blankets were given vouchers to spend on a replacement.

Three owners were shocked to discover their blankets had live parts exposed and scorch marks from overheating, posing an immediate and potentially lethal hazard.

Councillor Sue Emment, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “Trading Standards officers have raised public awareness about electric blankets and have saved at least three families from a potential tragedy this Christmas.

The free testing and advice event was held at Ealing Broadway Fire Station. Department of Industry and Trade figures show faulty blankets caused more than 5,000 fires in 2006.

Other results from the inspection event at Ealing Broadway Fire Station were:

• 14 home safety checks were arranged
• Fire safety advice and free smoke alarms were given out
• Free energy saving lightbulbs were distributed