ENSURE a safe Christmas in your home this year, with a free home safety visit from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

The Fire and Rescue Service will be joining the West Devon Connect outreach surgeries during the month of December, when people will be able to arrange for a member of the service to come to their home and give personalised advice and guidance on fire and home safety needs.

There will also be a wide range of leaflets and literature available at the surgeries covering all aspects of fire safety– and some people may even find they qualify to have free smoke alarms fitted.

If you are unable to attend the outreach sessions but would like a free home safety visit call 0800 7311 822.

The New Year will see a new service joining the regular January surgeries when advisors from Devon County Council DISC, the family information service, will offer a range of free and independent information on childcare, activities and services for families and children aged 0 to 19 years.

Included will be information on: Childminders; Day nurseries; Holiday clubs and playschemes; Out of school clubs; Pre-schools and playgroups; Parent and toddler groups; Places to go and things to do; Help and advice; Sports, leisure and play.

DISC can also point people in the right direction for training or working in a childcare setting or thinking about becoming a childminder.

For information on childcare visit http://www.devon.gov.uk/disc">www.devon.gov.uk/disc or phone 0845 155 1013.

For information on activities and services for families visit http://www.devonfsd.info">www.devonfsd.info or phone 0845 155 1013.

Outreach dates and venues for December 2009 and January 2010:

Hatherleigh Market: December 1 and 15, 9.30am–noon, January 19: 9.30am–noon.

Lifton, Arundell Arms (Lyd Room): December 16, 9.30am–noon, January 20, 9.30am–noon.

Exbourne, the Burrow Café: December 4, 10am–noon. No January drop –in service

Bere Alston, Hope Cottage Café: December 8, 10am–noon, January 12, 10am–noon.

Chagford, Whiddons Tea Rooms: December 11, 9.30am–noon, January 8 and 22, 9.30am–noon (Endecott House, January 8).

Belstone, Village Hall: December 10, 10am–noon.

Spreyton, Village Hall: January 12, 2pm–3.30pm.