AN elderly woman has hit out at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue following their decision to stop electric blanket testing sessions

The fire service used to hold sessions every winter whereby they would check the wiring in electric blankets to make sure they were safe to use.

However, this service has now been stopped, and Marian Bath from Burnham-On-Sea thinks the decision could lead to disastrous consequences.

She said: “I am quite cross about it, and if I just ignore and someone dies, I will feel like I should have done something.”

“The 95-year-old lady that I look after is also very upset.

“I live in a block of flats and if an electric blanket was to catch fire, it would be very dangerous.”

“It has always been an important thing for the winter period.

Fire service spokesperson Paul Slaven said: “We are no longer holding the electric blanket testing sessions but we do offer a free home fire safety check scheme, which may involve fire service staff visiting people’s homes to check they are safe, for those that qualify.

“For more information, residents can call us on 0800 05 02 999.”