ESSEX residents are being offered free smoke alarms as part of a fire safety initiative.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is offering to visit homes and fit alarms.

Although 88 per cent of homes nationwide have a smoke alarm, it is estimated 93,000 households in Essex are at risk because they do not have a working alarm.

Divisional officer Neil Fenwick said: “Just three breaths of smoke can be enough to kill if a fire breaks out when you’re sleeping.

“Smoke alarms are proven life savers. They give warning at the first sign of fire, waking you and your family up and giving everyone the time they need to get safely out and call the fire service.

“Although the majority of homes in the county have working smoke alarms we want to make sure that every home has the excellent protection they offer.

“We will visit your home, carry out a safety inspection, give you all the advice you need and fit smoke alarms entirely free of charge.”

To book a free home fire safety visit, call us on 0300 303 0088 or fill out a form at essex-fire.gov.uk/Home_Fire_Safety