Free Electric Blanket Safety Testing – Abingdon, 25 September 2026

Oxfordshire residents are being encouraged to make sure their electric blankets, heated throws and heating pads are safe to use ahead of the colder months, with free safety testing available across the county this September and October.

The annual testing programme is run through a partnership involving Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Oxfordshire’s district councils, the Volunteer Driver Service and Age UK Oxfordshire.

The service has now been running for 25 years, and the results from last year’s testing demonstrate just how important these checks can be. In 2025, 920 blankets were tested and more than 36% failed the safety test.

Abingdon Testing – Friday 25 September

For residents in our area, the nearest session will be:

Friday 25 September 2026 – Abingdon

On-site appointments are available from 9.00am.

Other testing sessions are also being held across Oxfordshire:

• Monday 21 September – Thame
• Tuesday 22 September – Rose Hill, Oxford
• Wednesday 23 September – Banbury
• Thursday 24 September – Chipping Norton
• Friday 25 September – Abingdon
• Monday 5 October – Didcot
• Tuesday 6 October – Barton, Headington
• Wednesday 7 October – Bicester
• Thursday 8 October – Witney
• Friday 9 October – Wantage

How to book

Places are limited and should be booked in advance.

Telephone: 01865 519800
Email: duty.officer@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Online: https://service.oxfordshire.gov.uk/blankettesting

Free refreshments will also be available at the sessions, together with useful information from partner organisations about keeping safe and well during the winter.

Unable to get to a testing venue?

A limited home collection service is available for residents who would find it very difficult to travel to one of the testing venues. As collection capacity is limited, residents are asked to request this service only where it is genuinely needed.

Don’t wait until the cold weather arrives – get your electric blanket checked and make sure it is safe to keep you warm this winter.