This year’s ‘Get Ready for Winter’ events, organised by City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trading Standards team, will take place on:
- Wednesday 30 September at Wolverhampton Market, Cleveland Street, WV1 3HH, 9.30am to 4pm
- Thursday 1 October at Wednesfield Library, Well Lane, WV11 1XT, 10am to 4pm
- Friday 2 October at Bilston Indoor Market, WV14 0DN, 9.30am to 4pm.
Residents with an electric blanket can bring it along to be tested by experts from Gems Electrical Testing. It is important that all leads, controls and plugs associated with the electric blankets are brought along for testing.
If the blanket fails and the owner is a Wolverhampton resident, a replacement will be offered for free. Funding for the blankets has been provided through UK charity Electrical Safety First.
General support and advice about energy bills will be available from charity Act on Energy. Advisors will give general advice and also arrange to speak to residents individually about ways to save on bills, how to switch providers and how to access energy debt support.
Other help on offer during the 3 days will include support from the council’s Trading Standards team about ways people can protect themselves from scams, rogue traders and bogus callers.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for resident services, said: “Over the past 2 years, we have run successful ‘Get Ready for Winter’ events and this autumn our Trading Standards team will again be out in the community to offer free electric blanket safety testing and practical advice to residents.
“These checks are particularly important as we head into the colder months, as electric blankets can deteriorate with age and develop faults that may lead to injury or even cause a fire.
“Thanks to funding from Electrical Safety First, any Wolverhampton resident whose blanket fails the safety test will be offered a free replacement.
“I’d like to encourage everyone, particularly older residents, to make use of this free service. People can also speak to our officers for advice on managing energy costs and protecting themselves from rogue traders.”
People do not have to book an appointment for the electric blanket testing but are asked to please be prepared to wait if the events are busy.
