Free electric blanket testing is on offer across the Isle of Man next week.

The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service will provide free testing of blankets between 10am and 4pm at Ramsey Town Hall on Monday 16th November, Castletown Civic Centre on Tuesday 17th November and in Douglas at the TT Grandstand Press Office on Wednesday 18th November.

To avoid queuing, anyone who uses electric blankets is invited to contact the community safety team to book a time slot at one of the venues before the day.

Fire Safety Officer Station Officer Carl Kinvig, said, "Last year, almost half of the 321 blankets we checked failed the safety test.  Potentially, using a faulty electric blanket can lead to a fire in your home.

"Faults can develop at any time and I urge anyone who has a blanket, or whose elderly relatives use electric blankets, to take this opportunity to have them checked. We have times available at all venues and will give priority to people who have booked a time slot."

Last year, of the 321 electric blankets checked, 50% (160) passed with no faults; 49% (158) failed the test and the remaining 1% were repaired.

This year, the IoM Fire and Rescue Service is sharing the venues with the Isle of Man Accident Prevention Forum, which will have a Gas Safe Engineer on hand to answer queries about carbon monoxide poisoning, to mark Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (16th - 19th November).

To book your free test, call 647303 or email cs@gov.im.

Anyone requiring fire safety advice can contact the Fire Service community safety risk reduction team or go to the website www.iomfire.com.

Pictured: Firefighters with last year's 'failed' blankets. Technician Clive MacDonald (centre) will be assisting fire safety officers again this year.