A CAMPAIGN which could save lives gets under way in East Lancashire this week.

The area's firefighters are taking part in National Fire Safety Week, which aims to make people aware of the risks of fire and how they can keep themselves and their families safe.

The main point of this year's campaign is to ensure people fit smoke detectors and maintain them properly.

There have been three deaths in the county in the last year where smoke detectors were fitted in the house but either the batteries were missing or flat.

The Battery Bob campaign, dreamed up by Nelson fire station sub-officer Bob Parkin, will be used to get the message across.

And local fire stations will offer advice to the public in a number of different ways.

In Accrington, officers will target several areas to offer safety advice. Blackburn firefighters will man a stand in the town centre from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday with plenty of information for the public.

Schools and nurseries in Bacup will be offered advice and in Rawtenstall industrial units and schools will be targeted by the brigade.

In Darwen, Nelson and Burnley officers will promote the importance of smoke detectors throughout the week.

Divisional officer Stuart Padbury, head of the fire safety department in East Lancashire, said: "About 79% of houses now have smoke alarms but the biggest problem we have is that they are often not maintained properly.

"We want to encourage people to test their detectors and change the batteries regularly."

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued a warning about decorative candles and aromatherapy oil burners around the home.

Product safety adviser, David Jenkins, said: "People often buy candles and oil burners to create a relaxing atmosphere, but if they are not treated with care and cause a fire they will have totally the opposite effect."

Candles and lamps must never be left unattended when lit and should be kept well away from curtains and loose clothing.

Candles should have a stable, fire-resistant holder and not be left burning at night.

Flames in lamps should be shielded to reduce the risk of fire.

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