FIREFIGHTERS in Nelson are planning to carry out more home visits and work with young people in the community in an attempt to reduce the number of deliberate and accidental fires in the town.

Free fire safety checks are being offered to residents which will involve firefighters visiting their homes and assessing what is needed to make properties safe.

They will also talk about fire prevention and how to devise an escape plan if a fire does break out, as well as fitting a smoke detector if there is not one in the house.

Dave Jackson, Nelson station commander, said: "It's obvious that it is much better to prevent a fire happening in the first place than to put one out.

"Although our intervention saves lives and property, it can only be considered a last resort when the alternative is to educate people how to avoid those situations.

"Deliberate fires respond to preventative work also. In this case engaging with young people directly and through those agencies already working with them can achieve a great deal.

"It's an issue that responds to education, too, impressing upon youngsters that their actions can kill.

"They don't always realise that they're putting their own homes and loved ones at risk, not by the fire they've started but by delaying us from getting to the accidental fire that might have started somewhere else in the neighbourhood."

To make an appointment for a home safety check call Nelson fire station on 01282 612312.