DEVON and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is supporting National Home Safety Week (September 28 - October 4) to ensure your home is as safe as possible for you and your family.

Throughout the week the fire service is raising awareness of the risk of accidental house fires caused by home appliances and is asking everyone to make sure they and their loved ones have a safe home.

One of the main focuses is white goods which include cookers, dishwashers, tumble dryers, washing machines and fridges.

Making small changes in your daily routine can reduce the risk of a fire starting in your home. This involves not leaving appliances running while the house is unoccupied or when everyone is asleep.

Be careful not to overload sockets as plugging too many electrical appliances into one socket can lead to overheating.

The Socket Calculator has been created by the Electrical Safety Council so you can do a quick online check.

Have you checked the appliances of an older or vulnerable person? Almost half of all fire deaths in the UK involve people over the age of 60 and by the time someone reaches 80 they are 10 times more likely to die in a fire than someone under 30.

Checking the appliance of someone who is older or vulnerable may identify any issues with their appliances ensuring they are protected from the risks of an incident occurring.

Are your appliances registered? Register your appliance quickly and easily with the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA): www.registermyappliance.org.uk .

Why register?

• Be the first to know of any safety repairs or recalls

• Improve your after sales service

• Keep in touch with upgrade news

Safety advice

Five steps to keep you safe at home:

• Plan an easy escape route

• Test and fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home.

• Check all appliances before going to bed or leaving the house

• Never leave cooking unattended

• What to do if there is a fire - get out and call 999 at the first sign of a fire

To request free Home Safety advice call free on 0800 05 02 999.

For any other fire safety advice, contact the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue helpline on 01392 872288 or visit the website: www.dsfire.gov.uk .