FIREFIGHTERS had no sooner left the scene of a house fire in Devizes than they were back this time offering safety advice to neighbours.

The blaze in Broadleas Crescent had broken out about midnight on June 22 in the bedroom of a house that had been fitted with a smoke detector but it did not work because the battery had been taken out.

Fortunately, the fire was spotted by neighbours who rushed to tackle the flames using fire extinguishers normally carried in one of their cars and no-one was seriously hurt in the incident.

But the following day, hours after firefighters had finished ventilating the smoke-damaged house, the crews returned to the street to offer residents advice on fire safety.

It was part of the brigade's policy of visiting most neighbouring homes in a street soon after a fire has occurred in a bid to raise awareness. Called hot strike, the home visits are undertaken either 24 or 48 hours after a house fire.

Firefighters will call on a number of homes near where the fire occurred and carry out free safety checks and give advice on smoke detectors and escape plans.

Station Officer Andrew Hargreaves, spokesman for Wiltshire Brigade, said: "What may have caused a hazard in the home where the fire was, could be a hazard in other homes in the same street.

"We call on houses in the immediate vicinity and talk about fire safety."

SO Hargreaves said the majority of people fire crews speak to, haven't got a fire plan, which covers what exit people in the house will use or if, they are unable to get out, which room they will gather in until the fire brigade arrives.

"The fire plan is a survival guide," he said. "The greatest risk from fire is when you are asleep and there will be no panic if you have discussed in advance what your fire plan is.

"If you have made a fire plan I guarantee you will remember it." The fire brigade emphasises the importance of smoke detectors, which, it says, save lives.

But firefighters who have carried out safety checks at people's homes have found brand new smoke detectors still in their boxes because householders haven't got round to installing them, even though months may have gone by.

"In other homes we have found that smoke detectors are installed but the batteries have been taken out," said SO Hargreaves. "Householders have told us that they took the battery out because the battery had been beeping indicating that it was low on power.

"They have said that they were intending to get a new battery on a particular day. Our advice is to get a new battery as soon as the current battery is getting low and not leave it until another day because it can be forgotten about.

"In most cases people have overlooked certain things relating to fire safety, we don't believe it's wilful neglect on their part."

About 80 per cent of homes have smoke detectors and Wiltshire Fire Brigade wants to drive home the message that fire safety is an issue for every household to consider.

Firefighters give talks at schools where they encourage children to talk to their parents about fire safety.

"We want fire safety to be incorporated into people's everyday routine. People make sure their car is serviced and is running properly and we want fire safety to become an integral way of life and not to be thought of as anything different," said SO Hargreaves.

Operation Hot Strike started two years ago, and the brigade believes it will eventually lead to a reduction in house fires.

SO Hargreaves said: "The response from householders when our firefighters have called at their homes has been terrific. People have been positive and have understood why we doing this. They also like to get our advice on fire safety issues."

The brigade has set itself a target of reducing accidental house fires by 25 per cent and reduce serious fire related injuries by the same figure by 2006.

SO Hargreaves said: "It's going to take years to educate everybody. We are in it for the long haul."

For more information about fire safety contact the Wiltshire Fire Brigade helpline on (01380) 731119 or e-mail enquiries@wfb.org.uk

Wise words that can save your family's life

WILTSHIRE Fire Brigade urges householders to follow these safety tips

Have a fire plan. Decide which way you will get out of your house in the event of a fire. If you are unable to get out that way decide which room every member of the household should gather in and have a telephone in that room in order to ring 999.

A smoke detector is a life saver. It will give early warning of a fire enabling people to get out. They cost about £5 from DIY and electrical shops and one should be fitted to each floor of a house. A smoke detector should be tested each month, do it on the same day to remember, and the battery should be replaced every year.

Keep escape routes clear and before going to bed at night make sure all electrical appliances are switched off.

Put out all cigarettes, pipes and candles and before emptying ashtrays make sure the contents are cold.

Do not leave pans on the hob and if the doorbell or telephone rings while you are cooking, turn the heat off.

For open coal or wood fires have a fire guard.

Use the correct ratings on fuses for electrical appliances. Get more sockets fitted if you have a number of plugs.

If there is a fire in your home the fire brigade's advice is:

If it is safe to do so, close the door of the room where the fire is contained.

Call the fire brigade and, if it is safe to do so, get out of the house and stay out until the fire brigade arrives.

If you are cut off by the fire and are unable to get out of the house, gather everyone into the one room and shut the door. Open the window to let fresh air in and either shout for help or phone the fire brigade if you can.

Use towels (ideally wet) or sheets to block gaps in the door to stop smoke spreading into the room.

If you are unable to open the window have a heavy object ready to break a corner of the glass.

Only if you are in immediate danger should you attempt to escape from a fire. Throw a mattress or bedding down outside to break your fall.

Never jump from a window. Make sure there is no broken glass on the ledge before manoeuvring yourself out feet first on your tummy. Hang from the ledge by your finger tips and drop down.