Energy 23 Campaign
Throughout the #energy23 campaign, Advice Direct Scotland, supported by our friends at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Scotland, and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), will be looking at the safety issues associated with energy saving measures including electric blankets; candles; and heated items, such as hot water bottles and microwavable goods.
We will be focussing on the sources of support available to Scottish consumers who are struggling with energy costs, and key safety messaging as we move into the final winter months.
The campaign will focus specifically on safety, with information on product and fire safety – as well as indicating the dangers associated with certain energy-saving measures.
Advice Direct Scotland are the official partner of the Scottish Government for consumer and energy advice in Scotland.
Campaign Supporters
Advice Direct Scotland
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RosPA)
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
Electric Blanket Safety
Unplug before getting in – It’s important to unplug electric blankets before going to bed, unless the one you have is suitable to leave on (read the instructions).
Check for wear-and-tear - Remember not to keep electric blankets for longer than 10 years!
If it gets wet – Don’t use it! - (and don’t switch on to help it dry off).
Store it correctly – Avoid damage to the blanket’s wiring by ensuring you store electric blankets flat, rolled up, or loosely folded.
Candles
If we use candles, it's important to have safety at the forefront of our minds. Remember not to leave lit flames unattended, especially with children and pets around.
When using electronic candles that use small button batteries, it is important that we keep these out of the reach of children, as these present choking hazards.
Remember that loose clothing, curtains, and other household furnishings can catch fire. By ensuring that we keep lit flames away from these items, we can reduce the likelihood of fire occurring.
Heated Items (Hot Water Bottles, Microwavable Items etc)
Some manufacturers recommend that you only use hot water bottles for a maximum of two or three years, so checking the production date when you buy one is important!
It's important to check the labelling / packaging on microwavable heated items for potential flammability and other safety issues - contents can be scalding hot!
Hot water bottle expiration dates are a guide, with products wearing over time and potentially splitting. If the bottle was full of hot water, this could cause serious burns, requiring medical attention.
Sources of Support
Struggling with energy costs? Rationing fuel to get by? There are sources of support available, including the Scottish Government's Home Heating Support Fund (homeheatingadvice.scot).
Having open conversations with our energy suppliers and organisations like energyadvice.scot can be useful if we are struggling with energy costs or have problems with our supply.
“If you are rationing energy to get by, or to afford other things, reaching out for support is important....our team is on hand to help Scots with free, practical and impartial advice.”
Avoiding Counterfeits / Dangerous Goods & Reporting Problems
Counterfeit electronics can pose risks to health & safety, as well as present fire risks. Lower prices on these cheap, copycat, counterfeit electronic goods can come at a different cost.
You can report issues with goods that you believe are counterfeit or unsafe by contacting the team at consumeradvice.scot on 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or by visiting the website.
Additional Sources of Support
consumeradvice.scot advisers are available on 0808 164 6000 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or by visiting the website where you can report counterfeit goods or issues with traders.
