A CAMPAIGN to offer fire safety advice and crime prevention tips to a north Durham village starts on Monday.
Firefighters and police are targeting over 400 homes in Tantobie, near Stanley, to make their homes safer.
The area has chosen for a pilot scheme because following the death of 79-year-old George Bewick who died after a house fire just before Christmas in 2008.
Fire service watch manager Ian Dockerty said: "We had a fire death there and have already visited people in the area but we want to target the whole village.
"This is about saving lives and reducing the risk of having a house fire."
Firefighters will be handing out leaflets, arranging free fire safety talks and installing free smoke alarms.
Mr Dockerty added: "It is in people’s own interests and is a free service that we offer in our everyday work but this is part of a campaign dedicated to getting the message across."
Police will giving advice on how to reduce the chances of being burgled and deal with the suspected bogus callers.
The campaign runs until February 5.
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