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OLD or damaged electric blankets cause more than 5,000 fires a year and Hertfordshire fire service is asking people to take care as the weather gets colder.

Blankets that are ten years old or more are responsible for 99 per cent of electric blanket fires, claiming around 20 lives and injuring 100 people in the UK every year.

Hertfordshire fire service community safety officer John Parker said: "we know plenty of people like to use electric blankets during the winter. We're not saying people should't use them, we'd just urge them to make some safety checks.

"Using a faulty blanket can have devastating consequences."

Among the danger signs to look for before using an electric blanket are worn fabric, scorch marks and any damage to the flex or plug.

For more information log onto www.hertsdirect.org/fire or www.firekills.gov.uk.

5:28pm Tuesday 5th October 2004

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