West Sussex firefighters have been alarming local residents at a record rate.

RECORD: West Sussex Firefighters installed a record number of smoke alarms in the year 2005-06 -3669 compared with 2556 in 2004-05

RECORD: This follows a record number of home fire safety checks - 2590 in 2005-06 compared with 2477 the previous year.

They also installed 285 community linked fire alarms in the homes of vulnerable people residents, such as older people and those with disabilities, the service has also fitted 40 deaf alarms.

Roger Wood , Head of Community Fire Safety said: " These figures reflect our policy of stepping up community fire safety activities.

"Attending fires and incidents in the shortest possible time to save lives will, of course, always be an important part of a firefighter's role.

"But the greatest saving of life and reduction of injuries is achieved by stopping fires and other incidents happening in the first place.

"This includes working in partnership with housing associations and the County Council's Adult Services to target vulnerable people.

"The home fire safety checks are free and informal. We're not there to judge. We're there to help and by following our advice people reduce the risk of a fire in their home."

Lionel Barnard , County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "Our firefighters are to be congratulated for this tremendous achievement. It demonstrates their continuing commitment to reducing fire deaths and casualties in the home."

If you would like a free home fire safety check, please telephone . This is a freephone number.

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