FIREFIGHTERS will carry out safety checks in Emsworth after a pensioner suffered burns when his electric blanket caught fire.
Crews from Havant station will visit Maisemore Gardens and its surrounding area on Sunday between 10am and 1pm to ensure residents are safe.
It comes after an 87-year-old man suffered smoke inhalation and burns to his face, throat and hands when his electric blanket caught fire on January 26.
Firefighters will carry out home safety checks, install free smoke alarms and give advice to people.
A fire investigation has been carried out and concluded that the cause of the blaze was the man’s electric blanket.
Faulty blankets cause more than 1,000 house fires a year and each year more than 20 people are killed and over 250 injured by blanket fires.
Jim Clarke, station manager at Havant, said: ‘This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of ensuring that if you use an electric blanket, then you should get it tested regularly.
‘The local crew visiting Maisemore Gardens will be able to talk to residents and address their fire safety concerns, while giving vital fire safety advice.
‘Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service wishes the gentlemen a speedy recovery from his injuries and our thoughts are with him and his family.’
An article in The News wrongly reported that the victim was 82.
We apologise for this error.
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