FIREFIGHTERS are offering free life-saving advice to householders in Thirsk and Stokesley.

They will carry out fire safety checks in homes, supply and install free smoke alarms and help with fire escape plans.

They will also advise on safety issues, from electric blankets or portable heaters to kitchen equipment or carbon monoxide emissions.

The initiative is part of a countywide scheme which began last summer when the Northallerton brigade visited homes in Romanby and found 80 per cent of them needed some form of additional fire safety measures.

Now the programme is being rolled out across the district, with retained officers in Easingwold and Bedale also gearing up to offer the scheme.

They can:

* Fit residents' own smoke alarms in the correct locations;

* Install smoke alarms provided free by the fire service

* Carry out home safety checks, offering tailor-made advice for each household

* Produce escape plans to get families and their pets safely out of homes in the event of a fire

* Fit carbon monoxide alarms

* Offer fire safety advice

To use the service, call (01609) 751010, Monday to Thursday, between 9am and 1pm. All officers will carry identification cards.