IT’S easy to become complacent about fire safety in the home.

Once you’ve followed all the basic advice about installing smoke alarms, keeping matches and lighters away from children and never leaving candles unattended, it can feel like all bases are covered.

However, the unexpected can always happen, whether it’s an accident or a faulty electrical appliance.

And people over the age of 75 are at even more risk if the worst should happen, according to the fire service.

It’s for this reason that they, and indeed anyone else who is unsure about their home fire safety, should ring the fire service for a free check.

Prevention is about much more than a smoke alarm. There are so many options the experts can suggest to keep people safer in their homes.

Lessons must be learned from past tragedies but half the battle is for the fire service to identify those who are most at risk.

Families and carers can play their part by encouraging loved ones to take more steps.

Even for people who have never experienced fire or see themselves as low risk, the message, loud and clear, is that the fire brigade can always help to reduce risks further. It’s never a waste of time and it might just save your life.