FIREFIGHTERS will be in Bridport today as part of a campaign to help reduce fires in the home.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has identified an increase in fires in the home in West Dorset – 35 from October 2010-March 2011 compared with 27 for the same period the previous year.

The brigade wants to educate residents about the possible dangers and encourage them to sign up for a free home safety check.

A check will involve crews fitting or replacing smoke alarms, giving advice on the use of candles, unattended cooking, electric blankets, overloading sockets, chimneys, low energy light bulbs and much more.

District commander for West Dorset, station manager Steve Waller said: “Dorset Fire and Rescue Service desperately want the people of Dorset to be safer in their homes.

“If we can encourage people to sign up for a free home safety check and provide free smoke detection, talk to you about specific dangers in your home and how you would escape if a fire occurred, we can all help to make Dorset safer.”

A stall will be set up in Bucky Doo Square, Bridport from 10am today.