Free safety helpline for homes

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue says over 100 more households are safer after contacting a free helpline which was brought out to make booking free home fire-risk checks easier.

The new number – 0800 0214 999 – was introduced officially on June 1 and has been given out on specially-made cards.

It provides a direct route for everyone who feels that either they or someone they know would benefit from having their homes checked for hazards by firefighters. The service is particularly targeted at elderly and vulnerable people living in the county.

As a result, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is working on a plan that will deliver free checks to around 60,000 homes of elderly and vulnerable people who have yet to have one.

But the fire brigade says it needs to hear from the carers, families, friends and neighbours of those most at need to make the plan work.

The new campaign – MORE for Less – is part of the service's ongoing Far MORE from your Fire and Rescue Service, and is, according to the service, designed to "reach the heart of the community" and "encourage the spirit of neighbourliness" that still exists in Staffordshire.

Chief fire officer and chief executive Peter Dartford is spearheading this campaign.

He said: "The new service has got off to a very positive start and with around 100,000 of the 0800 0241999 cards circulating in the county with carers and agencies, I know that figure will go up as the cards are passed or referrals made.

"I know the communities of Staffordshire can and will get behind this call – the spirit of neighbourliness is not dead here and since my move to Staffordshire ten years ago, I have really noticed the difference."

He added: "Hitting our first century is great, but we want to reach hundreds more households through this number by Christmas."