TRAFFORD'S trading standards department and the fire service are launching their joint annual safety campaign to highlight the dangers of faulty electric blankets.

Twenty people die every year nationally and there are some 5,000 fires caused by faulty electric blankets.

Research has shown that blankets that are more than 10 years old pose the greatest risk.

Last year the trading standards service offered free testing of blankets across the borough. The scheme was very successful with more than 100 blankets submitted by the public - almost 50 per cent of these had faults. Where minor faults were detected free repairs were carried out. Where major faults were found the owners were offered discount vouchers to obtain a replacement blanket.

Any unsafe blankets handed in were stripped down to their useful parts and these were recycled and donated to charity.

This year checks will be carried out at Trafford Direct, Chapel Road, Sale, on Monday, November 11, and Trafford Direct, Shrewsbury Street, Old Trafford on Tuesday, November 12.

Anyone who wants to get their blankets checked on either day must make an appointment by calling trading standards on 912 3845.