AFTER weeks of basking in the glorious summer sunshine the time has come once again to think towards the winter.

Soon it will be time to start piling on the layers as temperatures begin to drop.

As wintery weather starts to set in, the county's elderly residents will be dusting off their electric blankets.

Now, in light of recent research, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched a major campaign offering free checks for the blankets.

Tests have shown that 38 per cent of electric blankets in the county are unsafe, and each year more than 1,000 house fires, 20 deaths and 150 injuries nationwide are caused due to faulty blankets.

To combat this, throughout September and October the fire service has teamed up with Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth trading standards departments to run a series of free tests around the county.

Watch manager Paul Christopher, of the community safety department, said: "Carrying out these testing days will allows us to work towards making Hampshire safer and cutting the number of fire related deaths by ten per cent by 2010.

"But on top of that, working closely with our partner agencies we come into contact with a large and diverse audience.

"This enables us to emphasise the full range of home fire safety matters and to offer free home fire safety visits."

For more information, or to book an appointment, contact your local trading standards department.