SOCIAL workers, nurses and health visitors are joining the fire prevention battle as part of a new scheme.

They will be able to recommend homes for free fire safety checks after being given training by Lancashire fire and rescue service.

Throughout Lancashire firefighters currently conduct free home fire safety checks where they identify potential fire hazards such as overloaded electrical sockets and clothes left to dry too near to heaters.

The success of the scheme has prompted the development of a more comprehensive safety service, called Signpost.

Firefighters, social workers, health visitors, district nurses, and other agencies have been training together to promote a mutual understanding of client needs and shared goals to help create a safe home environment, including fire prevention measures and protection from fire should it occur.

The scheme is set to bring fire prevention and protection to vulnerable clients who would otherwise not have been likely to have been identified, or requested a visit themselves.

And fire crews can refer clients to Signpost to benefit from the specialised advice and service they can provide.

The project is due to be launched at the fire service Training Centre (Washington Hall), Southport Road, Euxton, on Friday. A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "When facing up to risks and dangers, most people want personal contact and practical help from people they trust and that's what Lancashire's firefighters do in their fire prevention role, as well as when all else has failed and an emergency response is called for.

"Signpost is a refinement of our existing home fire safety check scheme to take advantage of the network of partnership agencies to help us identify and reach householders who would benefit from a visit. On the basis that a social worker, having undergone the awareness training, is in a position to identify a client who would benefit from a home fire safety check visit, they can make the referral.

"The scheme is set to bring fire prevention and protection to vulnerable clients who would otherwise not have been likely to have been identified, or requested a visit themselves."

The system also works the other way with the fire and service able to refer clients to Signpost to benefit from the specialised advice and service they can provide.