More free fire safety checks will be carried out in people’s homes in a partnership between the county’s fire and rescue service and Wiltshire Council.

The council has loaned a fleet of vans to the service to increase the number of its trained technicians able to offer safety advice as part of a strategy to reduce the number of accidental fires.

John Popowicz, of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are committed to reducing the instances of accidental fires that occur in homes in our community. One of the tactics we use is to carry out free home fire safety visits.

“Trained fire and rescue technicians give appropriate fire safety advice and, where necessary, supply and fit smoke alarms free of charge.”

Since 2007 the service has undertaken 19,500 such checks.

Mr Popowicz said: “The vans will play a vital role as it means we can carry out more home fire safety visits than we have been able to previously. This will mean more vulnerable members of our community will receive this vital service and improve their safety.”

Coun John Thomson, Cabinet member of adult care, communities and housing, said: “This is a great example of organisations pooling resources for the good of the community.”

Maggie Rae, Wiltshire’s director of public health and well-being, said: “We have given additional funding to ensure more advisers can be out on the road delivering this service. An increase in home fire safety visits means more people being aware of what they need to do to stay safe in their homes.”

Most people who have a visit are referred to the fire service by other agencies such as Age UK and the Bobby Van scheme.

People eligible for a visit include anyone who is aged over 65; lives alone; has a limiting condition; has never worked; has children aged under five; or lives in a thatched house, mobile home or house boat.

People not in those groups can request a fire safety information pack from the service.