Is my old electric blanket safe to use?

Lay the blanket flat and look over both sides. Feel for wires that have bunched, kinked or are poking through the fabric. Brown or scorch marks mean part of it has overheated. Check the cord where it joins the blanket and the controller for cracks, melted plastic or loose parts. Then turn it on for a while and feel for any patch noticeably hotter than the rest.

Energy Safe Victoria asks people to check electric blankets at the start of each winter for damaged wires, plugs, leads and hot spots, and to dispose of any that are damaged.

CFA's advice is to turn the blanket on about half an hour before bed and off as you get in, and to keep it laid flat and secured on the bed. Don't leave it running when nobody's in bed, and don't pile heavy things on it while it's on. Store it loosely rolled or flat rather than tightly folded, so the wires don't kink, and follow the maker's instructions.

Replace the blanket if it's damaged, if the controller has been dropped and cracked, or if it's so old you can't remember buying it. Don't buy or use a second-hand electric blanket. To get rid of an old one, CFA suggests unplugging it and cutting off the cord so it can't be reused.

An electric blanket that trips the safety switch has a fault. Unplug it and don't use it again. If the wall power point is warm or marked, stop using that too and have it checked.