OLD and dangerous electric blankets are being taken out of circulation but people are still using them, according to the results of free tests carried out by Bolton Council.
Trading Standards carries out the annual test and this year's results show that out of 252 blankets, 99 were found to be safe, 112 were, dangerous and had to be destroyed, 38 were made safe after repair work and three could not be tested properly as blanket controllers were not in place.
This compares with last year's results, when 352 blankets were tested and 174 were dangerous.
Councillor Guy Harkin, cabinet member for environment, put the improvement down to the now regular annual testing.
He said: "We have been providing a free electric blanket safety check to the residents of Bolton now since 1996.
"Hopefully, we are now reaching a situation where many of the older, more dangerous blankets have been taken out of circulation."
On average, 20 people die nationally because of faulty blankets causing fires.
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