All items · Electrical
Electric blankets and heat pads
Also covers: heated blanket, heated throw, electric underblanket
Almost all say no
19 refuse it outright — but 2 take it under conditions. Evidence: 18 direct, 3 broad.
Why shops refuse it
Ageing wiring inside the fabric is a fire risk that can't be spotted by inspection.
What to do instead
Take them to the small-electricals bank at the council recycling centre.
Charity by charity
-
Can't accept
Barnardo's
Same line also excludes (non-specified) heaters.
Their wording
“Electric blankets and heaters”
-
Can't accept
British Heart Foundation
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Their wording
“Electric blankets & showers”
-
Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice
broad category rule
Blanket exclusion of electrical items, though brand-new factory-sealed hard drives, SD cards or USB sticks are excepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items”
-
Can't accept
Cornwall Hospice Care
Even when new
Their wording
“Electric blankets – even when new”
-
Can't accept
Dogs Trust
Their wording
“duvets, bedding, mattresses, electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
Dorothy House
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
FARA Charity Shops
Their wording
“mattresses and electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
Phyllis Tuckwell
broad category rule
No electrical items of any kind currently accepted
Their wording
“Unfortunately we are currently unable to accept any electrical items or suitcases.”
-
Can't accept
Princess Alice Hospice
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
Shaw Trust
Their wording
“electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
Sue Ryder
Their wording
“electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
The Children's Trust
Their wording
“Electric blankets.”
- Can't accept Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
-
Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Check first
Overgate Hospice
Not accepted unless brand new in original packaging.
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Check first
Save the Children
broad category rule
Exception: accepted at selected stores — donors are told to check first.
Their wording
“unable to accept electrical goods (except in selected stores - please check first)”
Not mentioned in 23 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Not mentioned Acorns Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Age UK
- Not mentioned British Red Cross
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned DEBRA
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned Octavia Foundation
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned Shelter
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)