Free electric blanket testing in Oxfordshire

With autumn and winter approaching, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re ready for the colder nights ahead. Oxfordshire County Council is reminding residents about free electric blanket testing happening across the county later this month.
Last year, over 30% of blankets tested by the Council did not pass the safety check — so it’s really important to have yours tested before winter.
Sessions are run by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team. Full addresses and time slots are provided when you book your appointment at one of the following locations:
September 2025
- Monday 22nd – Rosehill, Oxford
- Tuesday 23rd – Henley-on-Thames
- Wednesday 24th – Bicester
- Thursday 25th – Chipping Norton
- Friday 26th – Abingdon
October 2025
- Monday 6th – Risinghurst, Oxford
- Tuesday 7th – Didcot
- Wednesday 8th – Banbury
- Thursday 9th – Witney
- Friday 10th – Wantage
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Dear Customer, We're writing on behalf of Thames Water, your water wholesaler, to remind you that the hosepipe ban introduced on Tuesday 22 July is still in effect in your area. Thanks to your efforts, businesses and households across the region have already helped save millions of litres of water each day. However, despite recent rainfall, reservoir and groundwater levels remain well below average. While rainfall has allowed Thames Water to start replenishing reservoirs, it will take months of steady rain for rivers, groundwater and reservoirs to fully recover. That's why the temporary use ban remains essential, and why it's important that we continue the water saving efforts as we move into autumn. FIND OUT MORE HERE Please continue to be water efficient this autumn Your business is covered by the hosepipe ban, and even though the impact is limited, your continued support helps protect the water supply for everyone in your community and reduces the risk of further disruption. Reduce water use where possible - for example, scheduling vehicle washing outside peak periods (early morning/late evening) Checking for leaks on-site - even a small constant dribble can waste around 400 litres per day Stopping urinals flushing overnight - turning off the flow can save thousands of litres Raise awareness of employees - small steps by everyone can add up to greater savings For more information or to report urgent issues, please call Thames Water's 24-hour helpline on 0800 316 9800. Thanks for your continued cooperation. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help. Best regards, Ray Porter Director of Wholesale and Markets Castle Water