Fake Fire Blankets?

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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edited December 2015 in Parts & Accessories #1

I bought a fire blanket off a well approved Amazon seller - small - ideal for caravan use - or so it said.  However last week I was watching Fake Britain Series 6 - Episode 8 where they did a piece on fake ones.  After a lot of research and phone calls -
Trading Standards called me yesterday and told me mine was almost certainly a fake and not to use it.  The tell tale sign is that although the red plastic cover has all the right safety marks on it - the blanket itself has no writing on.  So be warned folks
- there are fakes out there - I will be replacing at B & Q at more cost but at least I know it will do the job if the worst happens.  Unfortunately I bought mine in September so no refund.  I have posted in the reviews section of the item which is still for
sale - but it is scary how many people "Love it" and have no idea it could make a bad situation a whole lot worse.  So please be careful everyone. 

Comments

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,485 ✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #2

    Thanks for the warning Pippah.  Hope it might just help somebody else thinking of buying one.

    150 pixels photo ba9efc87-643d-42da-9817-e5b5ead08e3e_zpsf5f9425f.png

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #3

    As it would seem it is going to be of no use, it would be interesting to test it by applying a flame. Having of course taken suitable precautions. This info could also be posted on the sellers web site.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2015 #4

    Thanks for the heads up. Smile

    Your local firestation would be only to happy to demonstrate its abilities to you, as its of no use now pop around to see them.

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited December 2015 #5

    Surely there can be no time limit on recompense from Amazon for having sold fake products?

    Might not to you be worth all the hassle but it will hammer home to them a need to trade honestly in the UK thus helping the less well informed buyers.

    Thanks for the info.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #6

    Yes I thought about contacting Amazon ocsid - but I am not all that keen on knocking my head against a brick wall!  Trading Standards are giong to buy some and test them out.  And possibly bring a prosecution but they can't keep me informed - just have to wait to read about it!  So far I haven't found the website that belongs to the sellers. 

    Dave I am thinking of throwing it on a bbq at some point and seeing what happens.  My firestation is unmanned I think - I have looked to see if there are any signs of life when passing - but may well try a bigger one in Lincoln when I have some spare time! 

    New Blankets bought today in B & Q - with OAPs discount there wasn't much difference in the price - but I often use Amazon for convenience - definitely won't buy important stuff there anymore! 

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited December 2015 #7

    Send an e-mail to the Brigade HQ for your county, they will have dedicated safety officers.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited December 2015 #8

    Just  a  thought Pippah  --  Is  there  a  contact  number / address  for  "Fake  Britain"  --  it  might  be  worth  letting  THEM  know  that  dangerous  Fire blankets  are  out  there  --  and still  being  sold  by  "Bloggs  &  Co"  or  whoever.

    Brian

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
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    edited December 2015 #9

    You must tell Amazon to protect others and enable them to check the product and remove it from sale even if you do not ask for a refund. Failure to tell them could result in a fatal accident.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #10

    Good point Wildwood - I have posted on the item site - but I will go to the top for that reason. 

    Fake Britain are aware they are out there but I could tell them exactly where I got mine. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited December 2015 #11

    Just put it on the fire ........ Innocent

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #12

    No thanks I saw what happened to the Fake Britain one Yell

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #13

    You must tell Amazon to protect others and enable them to check the product and remove it from sale even if you do not ask for a refund. Failure to tell them could result in a fatal accident.

    Write your comments here...Wildwood - Do you know how to get hold of Amazon - I have struggled and failed to find any real contact point??

  • XTB 907
    XTB 907 Forum Participant Posts: 47
    edited December 2015 #14

    Pippah, I always use this link, it has been very helpful with a number of retailers

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #15

    Thank you XTB - I find the jungle of getting contacts just about as bad as picking options on a phoneline!  Perhaps because I was a real telephonist in a former life - not an option on an automated switchboard! 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited December 2015 #16

    No thanks I saw what happened to the Fake Britain one Yell

    I didn't mean as a 'fire blanket' Wink

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #17

    I know you didn't but if you had seen the programme an explosion in the living room would not be welcome Yell even if I do have a proper blanket now!  Maybe to help the bonfire along a bit. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited December 2015 #18

    .... but if you had seen the programme an explosion in the living room would not be welcome
    Yell  ....

    I didn't see the programme ..... I hadn't realised that it didn't just do what it was supposed to 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited December 2015 #19

    No that is what made it so important to tell people about - the fact that fake blankets make a bad situation MUCH worse.  An ordinary blanket would work more safely
    Undecided

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited December 2015 #20

    Where's a wet blanket for a thread when you need one?

  • skodaman
    skodaman Forum Participant Posts: 141
    edited December 2015 #21

    AS it says buyer beware

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