Urgent Safety Warning: Electric Blanket Recalls in the UK (2024–2025)
Winter is firmly here. You likely want nothing more than to curl up under a warm heated throw. But recent reports from UK safety regulators have flagged a serious issue hiding in cupboards across the country.
A significant number of electric blankets sold in 2024 and 2025 have been recalled due to critical safety failings.
We are not just talking about minor defects. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued alerts for products that pose a direct risk of fire and electric shock. Some marketplace tests revealed a staggering failure rate, with 9 out of 11 electric blankets bought from online marketplaces failing basic safety tests.
If you bought a blanket recently, specifically from B&Q, Amazon, or Online Home Shop (OHS), you need to stop using it immediately.
This guide acts as your definitive Electric Blanket Recall UK checklist. I will walk you through the specific models affected, how to perform a 2-minute safety audit on your device, and exactly how to claim your refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Current Electric Blanket Recalls: The 2025 Watchlist
Before you plug your blanket in tonight, check the label. The following models have active alerts issued by UK Trading Standards or the manufacturers themselves.
If your product matches the details below, unplug it. Do not fold it up. Isolate it so nobody else uses it by mistake.
Recall Snapshot Table
| Retailer / Brand | Product Name | Risk Type | Identifier (Barcode/Model) |
| B&Q | GoodHome Saturnia | Fire / Overheating | Barcode: 5059340980560 |
| Amazon | L’Agraty Heated Throw | Electric Shock | Model: B09C1L2D3 (Multiple colours) |
| OHS | Heated Over Blanket | Fire / Wiring Fault | Various Styles (See below) |
| The Range | Divante Teddy Sherpa | Fire / Controller Melt | Sales from late 2024 |
B&Q GoodHome Saturnia Recall (December 2025 Alert)
This is one of the most significant recent alerts because B&Q is a high-trust retailer. The recall affects the GoodHome Saturnia range.
The specific issue lies in the controller. During extended use, the internal components can overheat. This melts the plastic casing and exposes live parts or ignites nearby bedding.
What to look for:
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Check the wash label attached to the blanket.
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Look for Barcode: 5059340980560.
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If you have this model, return it to your local B&Q store immediately for a full refund. You do not need your receipt for this safety recall.
Amazon “L’Agraty” & Marketplace Safety Alert
The rise of “drop-shipped” electronics on Amazon has flooded the UK market with non-compliant goods. The L’Agraty Heated Throw was flagged in late 2024 and remains a serious risk in 2025.
The danger here is technical but deadly. The product often comes with a counterfeit fuse and a plug that does not meet the BS 1363 standard. The “creepage distance” (the gap between live parts and the user) is too small. This means you could get an electric shock just by touching the controller.
Action:
If you bought an unbranded or “weirdly named” blanket on Amazon, check the plug. Does it have a valid fuse? Does the pin look slightly shorter than your other UK plugs? If yes, stop using it.
OHS (Online Home Shop) Modification Programme
Online Home Shop (OHS) identified a manufacturing defect in five styles of their heated over-blankets. The mains cable can deteriorate prematurely. This exposes the internal copper wiring.
Unlike a simple return, OHS launched a “modification programme” to fix the issue, though they also offer refunds.
Affected Styles:
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Charcoal Fleece
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Silver Grey Fleece
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Navy Fleece
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Blush Pink Fleece
[Check the official OHS Recall Page for batch codes]
How to Identify a Dangerous Blanket (The SME Audit)
Not every dangerous blanket has been officially recalled yet. Thousands of faulty units sit in homes right now waiting for a failure.
As someone who has inspected consumer electronics, I use a “sensory audit” to spot danger before it becomes a disaster. You can do this at home in two minutes.
1. The Smell Test
Plug your blanket in and set it to high. Wait five minutes. Walk into the room and sniff.
You are looking for an acrid, chemical smell. It smells like hot plastic or “ozone” (similar to the smell of a slot car racing set).
The Verdict: If you smell this, the insulation on the heating wires is melting. Unplug it and destroy it.
2. The Controller Temperature Check
The blanket should get warm. The white plastic controller attached to the cord should not.
After 30 minutes of use, touch the controller.
The Verdict: If it feels hot in your hand, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) inside is failing. This is a common precursor to fire.
3. The Visual “Scorch” Scan
Lay the blanket flat on a bed. Turn on the main lights. Look for any dark or brown spots on the fabric.
The Verdict: These spots are scorch marks where the internal wire has snapped and arced, burning the fabric from the inside out.
Understanding UK Safety Marks: UKCA vs. CE
Since Brexit, the safety landscape has shifted. You need to know what symbols to trust.
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CE Mark: This is the European standard. It is still valid in the UK for now, but it signifies the product meets EU safety rules.
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UKCA Mark: This is the new UK Conformity Assessed mark. Products sold after 2023 should ideally carry this mark.
Warning: Be wary of the “China Export” symbol. It looks almost identical to the European CE mark but the letters are spaced closer together. If the letters C and E touch when you imagine two circles drawing them, it is likely a fake mark.
The “10-Year Rule” and the BEAB Mark
Even if your blanket is not on a recall list, it might still be a ticking time bomb simply due to age.
UK Fire and Rescue Services recommend retiring any electric blanket that is over 10 years old. The internal wiring becomes brittle over time. Every time you fold it or sit on it, you risk snapping those microscopic wires.
How to date your blanket:
Look for the BEAB Approved mark on the label (British Electrotechnical Approvals Board).
If the label looks faded, yellowed, or lacks a “Batch Date” (usually a stamp like 12/14 for Dec 2014), it is likely too old.
Safety Note: Old blankets often lack the “overheat protection” sensor found in modern units. This sensor cuts the power if the blanket gets too hot. Without it, the blanket will just keep heating until it ignites.
Consumer Rights: How to Get a Refund
Finding out your blanket is a fire risk is stressful. Getting your money back should not be.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any product you buy must be “of satisfactory quality” and “fit for purpose.” A product that catches fire is clearly neither.
If you bought it less than 30 days ago
You have an automatic right to reject. You can return the item for a full refund. The retailer cannot insist on a repair.
If you bought it within the last 6 months
The law assumes the fault was present when you bought it. The retailer must offer a repair or replacement. Since you cannot “repair” a recall safety flaw safely, they must usually give you a refund.
“But I don’t have the receipt!”
For safety recalls, retailers are often more lenient. However, you do need proof of purchase. This can be:
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A credit card statement.
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An email confirmation (for online orders).
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A loyalty card transaction history (like a Nectar card at Argos or Club card).
[Read guide on UK Consumer Rights here]
Expert Tips: Storing and Using Your Blanket Safely
Most electric blanket fires are actually caused by user error, not manufacturing defects. I want to share the correct protocols to keep your family safe.
The “Roll, Don’t Fold” Rule
Never fold your electric blanket like a bedsheet.
Folding creates sharp creases. These creases snap the internal heating elements. When you plug it in next winter, that snapped wire creates an electrical arc (a mini lightning bolt) which sets the fabric on fire.
Solution: Always roll the blanket loosely, like a sleeping bag, for storage.
Water Bed and Washing Caution
Never use an electric blanket with a water bed. A single pinprick leak combined with 240 volts of electricity is fatal.
regarding washing, check the label. Some modern blankets are machine washable, but you must detach the controller first. If you wash it, ensure it is bone dry before plugging it in. Spin drying is usually forbidden as it damages the wires.
Conclusion: Staying Warm Without the Risk
The Electric Blanket Recall UK situation for 2025 is serious, but it is manageable. The danger arises when we become complacent or assume that “it won’t happen to me.”
Take five minutes today. Strip back the bed. Check the label for the GoodHome, L’Agraty, or OHS brands. Look for the scorch marks. Smell the controller.
If you have any doubt, throw it out. A new, BEAB-approved blanket from a reputable retailer like John Lewis, Argos, or Lakeland costs roughly £40. That is a small price to pay for peace of mind and safety.
Stay warm, but more importantly, stay safe.
FAQs
How do I know if my electric blanket has been recalled?
You should first check the barcode on the washing label against the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) website. You can also use the “Product Recall Checker” on the Electrical Safety First website.
Can I get a refund on a recalled electric blanket without a receipt?
Legally, you need proof of purchase. However, for serious safety recalls (like fire risks), major retailers like B&Q often accept the return without a receipt or simply require a bank statement showing the transaction.
Are cheap electric blankets from Amazon safe?
Be very careful. Investigations by consumer group Which? found that many unbranded blankets on marketplaces lack valid fuses and fail British Safety Standards. Always buy known brands with a valid UKCA or CE mark.
What does the BEAB mark on an electric blanket mean?
BEAB stands for the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board. It means an independent safety expert has tested the product to ensure it meets high safety standards. It is the gold standard for electrical safety in the UK.
How often should an electric blanket be replaced in the UK?
The general rule is every 10 years. Even if it looks fine, the internal insulation degrades over time. Many local Fire and Rescue services offer free “safety blanket testing” days in winter—check your local council website.
Can I wash an electric blanket that has been recalled?
No. If a product is recalled, you should cease all use immediately. Do not wash it, do not plug it in. Package it up for return.
Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night?
Only if the manufacturer explicitly states it is an “all-night” sleeper blanket. Most heated throws are designed to pre-heat the bed and should be turned off before you go to sleep to prevent overheating and dehydration.
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