FIREFIGHTERS went out and about to urge people to fit and maintain smoke alarms in their homes.

Cuddly character Battery Bob joined firefighters from Clitheroe in the town centre on Saturday afternoon to hand out leaflets and advice about the importance of smoke alarms and how they can save lives.

The fire safety awareness day was part of an ongoing campaign across Lancashire.

Station Commander Dave McGrath of Clitheroe Fire Station said: "Our message is that it is easier to replace a dead battery in a smoke alarm than to replace lives. We went to a fire in Clitheroe last week where the battery had been taken out of the alarm. All too often we attend fires where the house either hasn't got a smoke alarm, or there is no battery or a dead battery in the alarm.

"If people are unsure about where to put a smoke alarm in their home, or how to fit it, they should just pop down to their nearest fire station for some help. We're not just here to fight fires we are here to give advice as well."

The Fire Brigade recommends that smoke alarms should be tested and cleaned every month and the batteries replaced regularly.

Dave McGrath said: "If your smoke alarm keeps going off when you are cooking, don't take the battery out, just move it to another part of the room - it could save lives."

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