4:51pm Friday 19th March 2010
By Dan Bean
A HARD-HITTING campaign has begun to warn against the dangers of house fires, after four fatalities in less than a year.
The campaign, launched by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, is centred on posters, bus-sidings and radio adverts.
A spokesman from the fire service said the campaign highlights the dangers of cooking after drinking alcohol and will mainly target the elderly and vulnerable.
He said: “We are hoping that if the message does not reach elderly people by itself, then their relatives or friends will pass on the message.
“People still use chip pans, which are dangerous, instead of grilling or using deep fat fryers and, if they have had a drink, it can lead to tragic consequences.”
In November, the body of an 83-year-old man was found in a burned-out caravan in Appleton Wiske, Northallerton, and in December The Press reported 83-year-old Derek Inns was killed in a chip pan fire at his home in Strensall, York.
The Press reported that on August 5 last year, retired British Rail worker John Thompson died after a blaze in his Acomb home.
The 74-year-old was rescued from his home on Albion Avenue by firefighters and rushed to hospital, where he died of smoke inhalation.
Later that month, a man's body was found in a burned-out caravan at High Wild Carr Farm near Pateley Bridge.
Trevor Lund from Richmondshire district fire and rescue said the radio advertisements present warnings in a way familiar to listeners.
He said: “The adverts are in a similar style to the Marks and Spencer commercials, and we think that will help them stick in peoples' minds.
“Between the adverts, bus posters and branded pharmacy bags across the region, we're hoping to reach 150,000 people.”
The fire service will also carry out free home safety checks, which can be arranged by calling 01609 788 545, or at www.northyorksfire.gov.uk
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