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Salterbeck residents will get tips on fire safety in their own homes this week as firefighters launch a high-profile campaign in the area.

On Friday 15 May a team of firefighters, volunteers and other staff from Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service (CF&RS) will descend on the Salterbeck area of Workington hoping to visit every home and where necessary fit a free 10 year smoke alarm.

From 9am to 5pm residents will be offered home safety visits to make sure they have an adequate number of smoke alarms in their home and that they're fitted in the right places. These are all supplied free of charge.

For the first time in Allerdale a full range of specialist advocate staff from CF&RS will be giving advice to older people, those who are deaf and hard of hearing, migrant workers and BME, vulnerable adults and those with drug or alcohol issues.

The area will be leafleted by volunteer staff on Wednesday and Thursday and the volunteers will be out in force helping CF&RS interact with the community on the day of the event.

In the last six months the fire and rescue service have carried out successful events in Distington, Sandwith, Seaton and St Bees, Bransty where over 700 Home safety checks were completed and left these communities much safer.

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: "Our firefighters are well aware of the devastation that house fires cause and unfortunately many people in our communities don't yet have that awareness. I want every home in Cumbria to have correctly sited, working smoke alarms to give an early warning of fire - which we will provide free of charge.

"By giving up just 30 minutes of their time for a free home safety visit, we can offer advice and guidance that will drastically reduce the chances of their home having a fire and dramatically increase their chances of escaping unhurt if they do."

Every home in Cumbria is eligible to apply for a free home safety visit to help residents deal with any potential fire hazards in your home. To arrange a visit please ring freephone 0800 358 4777 or contact your local fire station.

The service is completely free and can only be done by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.

The free Home Fire Safety Check will also include a fire escape plan that is tailored to each home should a fire break out, so people can escape safely from their homes.

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226335.