The Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1959. Electric Blankets

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28801, 23 January 1959, Page 8

The Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1959. Electric Blankets

Electric blankets have become a sufficiently • commonplace item of New Zealand household equipment to warrant stricter supervision of sales and better guidance on how to use them safely. An interim report by the Canterbury University Industrial Development Department reveals errors both by users of the blankets and by manufacturers and importers. Simply because any electrical appliance ought always to be treated cautiously, proper instructions need to be observed in the use of electric blankets. Where designs and manufacture are faulty, even special care may not prevent accidents. Electric blankets are likely to be used where there are young children or elderly persons; and every/effort should be made to reduce hazards to a minimum. The public will probably be alarmed to learn that about 12 of the 57 types of blanket available in New Zealand do not conform to the present voluntary Standards Institute specification which itself, according to the scientists, is too lax. They will also be disturbed by the failure of most New Zealand manufacturers and importers of electric blankets—who stand to gain as much as anybody from fresh technical information—to contribute to the modest cost of

the current research. Many persons have bought blankets from ( retailers whose reputation normally guarantees the quality of their merchandise; but the retailer himself may be misled about goods the efficiency and safety of which can be tested only by qualified persons. Many persons probably have their blankets tested regularly for faults, .and observe ordinary precautions in using them. But here is a case . where the Government seems to have a clear duty to protect the consumer from possible exploitation and real danger. Even if, as appears likely, the Government enforces minimum standards of manufacture to acceptable designs, the user will still be responsible for avoiding hazards from his electric blanket. A first essential is to ensure that every buyer of a blanket knows how to use it safely and sensibly. That can be achieved by providing adequate, easily understood directions with each blanket. Retailers should stock no blankets which are likely to become unsafe with reasonable use, and none which do not carry adequate safety instructions. A re-examination service to maintain operating standards would also contribute to preventing accidents, of which there have already been ' too many in New Zealand homes.