WEST Devon firefighters have sent out a message of thanks to local residents for being aware of fire safety in the home during the holiday period. Between December 24 and January 1 firefighters said there were no major fires, no rescues from fire and only 71 fires in the whole of Devon and Somerset which involved properties and vehicles. These results are compared with a total of 105 similar fires in the same period last year — representing a 'significant' improvement. Garry Alford, prevention manager said: 'This is an encouraging result. It shows that people are not only listening to our fire safety messages, but are taking positive action to avoid fires.' To keep down the number of major fires occurring in West Devon, David Hodge, the home safety visit manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, urges anyone who has not yet fitted a smoke alarm to make a new year's resolution and take advantage of a free home safety visit, in which officers visit properties to check for any unsafe practices within the property. As a result, firefighters may install free smoke alarms. Call 0800 73 11 822 to request a free visit.
