A coroner is urging people to check their electric blankets and smoke alarms after finding that an elderly Thames man died of asphyxiation and smoke inhalation in a smouldering fire caused by a faulty electric blanket last year.
Arthur Plimley, 76, was found by police, slumped over a chair in the corner of his bedroom on August 30, 2017.
Coroner Gordon Matenga found he died as a result of asphyxiation and smoke inhalation in a background of chronic heart disease and chronic obstructive airways disease.
The cause of his death was due to the faulty electric blanket, which was over 40 years old Coroner Matenga said in findings released late this afternoon.
"This is of concern. We are at present almost into winter and people will be reaching for their electric blankets, if you have not already done so, to use them to keep themselves warm over this winter," the corner said.
"It is important that people consider the age of their electric blankets. Perhaps also consider having them checked," he said.
He understood the Fire and Emergency service is willing to assist members of the public who are concerned about the state of their electric blankets, with a Fire Risk Management officer available at each station who can assist people who have questions about their electric blankets.
"As I understand it in various cities and towns around New Zealand the Fire and Emergency services have made arrangements with electricians or through their own resources, to test and advise people in relation to their electric blankets.
“Smoke alarms save lives. This is a message which the New Zealand public are aware of but should again be reinforced
"I commend this effort and encourage members of the public to think about this."
It is also timely to remind the public to check their smoke alarms, Mr Matenga said.
"The evidence I have heard is that Mr Plimley had three smoke alarms. One was destroyed by the fire and it cannot be known whether it was operational at the time of the fire. The other two in the house though were not operational and were both beyond their expiry dates.
"There is evidence to suggest Mr Plimley was aware of this. He had purchased new smoke alarms but had not yet got around to replacing them.
"In my view it is more probably than not that the smoke alarm in Mr Plimley's bedroom was not working. Had it been working Mr Plimley would have been aware of the fire as soon as it had developed. I am confident that it would likely have saved his life."
Mr Matenga said: "Smoke alarms save lives. This is a message which the New Zealand public are aware of but should again be reinforced."
Mr Plimley's bed had been burnt and charred and there was clear evidence the fire had ignited, and because it had consumed all the oxygen in the closed room, had self extinguished.
The investigation found Mr Plimley he had conducted what the coroner called "creative" electrical work.
It appeared he had by-passed the power supply and was feeding power directly into other areas of his house, apparently by-passing the electrical meter, Mr Matenga said.
The electric blanket was in excess of 40 years old, of antiquated design and had been modified to allow the voltage to be increased.
"It is likely that the electric blanket had completely by-passed the distribution board and the fuses and other safety devices, which ordinarily attach to an electrical circuit in the a home," Mr Matenga said.
Mr Plimley had the electrical experience and nous to undertake this work, the coroner said.
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