Substandard Electric Blankets Turning into Fire Starters in Kashmir, Officials Alert

Srinagar / 04/ 12/2025.Ishfaq Gowher
As temperatures continue to fall across Kashmir, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has raised an alarm over the growing use of substandard electric blankets, which officials say are now a major cause of household fire incidents this winter.
According to senior officials, investigations into several recent fire incidents in Srinagar and other districts have revealed a common pattern: faulty electric blankets overheating due to poor-quality wiring and careless usage.
Officials told Stan News that many residents keep electric blankets switched on for hours or throughout the night, which is extremely dangerous when the heating plates and internal wiring are made of inferior material. Continuous heating weakens the insulation, leading to short circuits and ignition.
The department has urged the public to use electric blankets only to warm beds before sleeping and to unplug them immediately after use. Even certified electric blankets, officials said, should not run for more than 10–15 minutes at a time.
Experts warn that many blankets available in local markets lack proper safety mechanisms such as auto-cutoff features. Combined with voltage fluctuations and old household wiring, these devices become fire hazards. As internal wires deteriorate with frequent heating, the fabric becomes brittle and prone to sparking.
Officials noted that during on-ground inspections following recent fire incidents, teams found blankets still plugged in even after the flames had spread—indicating widespread negligence and lack of awareness.
Residents have been advised to immediately discard any electric blanket that produces a burning smell, heats unevenly, or shows exposed wiring. The department also cautioned against folding blankets tightly, placing heavy objects on them, or using them on damp surfaces, as these practices damage internal circuits.
Fire authorities have appealed to the public to remain vigilant in the weeks ahead, warning that carelessness with heating devices could lead to severe property loss or endanger lives as winter intensifies.