WINSFORD-BASED Cheshire Fire Brigade is flashing a clear message in National Fire Safety Week - 'Let's stop fires happening.'

Throughout this week all staff are involved in a range of activities aimed at using their experience to help inform communities and businesses on how to prevent fires.

Firefighters, although constantly available to respond to 999 calls, will undertake a rigorous programme of activities across Cheshire to highlight the dangers of fires.

These include demonstrations, talks and education initiatives, such as simulations on how to put out a chip-pan fire.

The brigade is also targeting the elderly with easy to read literature and advice, as well as providing a one-stop fire safety shop and many talks and presentations to interested groups.

Dennis Davis, Cheshire's chief fire officer, said: "Nearly 1,000 people a year die in fires and many thousands are injured. Fire loss figures nationally are in excess of one billion pounds.

"This cost does not show the dreadful consequences of fire. In many cases those most vulnerable in our society are not insured and the true cost to the economy in Cheshire, and nationally, is enormous."

Mr Davis is aware that extra education on dealing with flames can prove invaluable.

He added: "In the past 18 months in Cheshire three young people safely evacuated their families following house fires. When questioned, their actions have been directly attributable to our seven to 11-year-olds fire survival schools education programme.

"The lesson in all of this is that understanding fire and knowing what to do can make the difference."

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