A Christchurch electrical testing company has issued a warning to electric blanket users after it found more than 10% are failing safety checks.
Megatest general manager Kevin Johnson said thermal imaging could show when coils within the blankets had moved and were creating hotspots.
"They are dangerous, they are electricity, you are laying on electricity."
Thermal imaging is used in the safety check to detect faults, which could trigger combustion, smoke and flames.
Testing costs between $25-$40 per blanket, but it could be a life saver.
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) education manager Adrian Nacey said about 5-10 "incredibly dangerous" electric blanket fires take place each year.
It comes as a coroner found an older Wellington woman died alongside her dog after her electric blanket overheated in January last year.
Ann McAllister, 82, died from "inhalation of products of combustion".
A fire investigation report found the point of origin of the fire appeared to be the southwest corner of the mattress.
In the coroner's report, FENZ recommended people replace or get an electrician to inspect any worn electric blankets and replace them every five years, and to always switch electric blankets off before going to bed.
Nacey said the case highlights the dangers of faulty electric blankets.
"We are asking people to check their electric blankets before they use them this winter."
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