Free smoke alarms fly off shelves - get yours today

Free smoke alarms are flying off the shelves at Shropshire Star offices as part of the newspaper's Fire Satety Week campaign.

The Star has teamed up with Star and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to launch the initiative, after it was revealed that seven people had lost their lives in blazes during the past 12 months – the highest death toll in more than a decade.

Since the campaign was launched on Monday, there have been two more major house fires in the county – illustrating how at-risk our homes can be.

Pauline Bloom, from Clee Hill, was one of many who dropped into the Star's Ludlow office to claim her free alarm. She said she had noted comments made by deputy chief fire officer John Redmond earlier this week that some of the deaths from the past year could have been prevented if working alarms had been fitted.

Mrs Bloom said: "I live with an ex-fireman and our alarm has just failed. It's important to have a working one installed. It could save your life."

Shropshire Star reporter, Peter Finch, added: "Priority for the smoke alarms will be given to people who are over the age of 75, with a disability or long term sickness. The smoke alarms are free and we are urging anyone without this essential piece of life-saving equipment to come along to the one of our offices.

"Journalists at the Star have to write about the tragic deaths of people across the county every year who could still be alive today if they had a working smoke alarm fitted. Please don't hesitate in collecting this essential bit of kit."

Firefighters were today taking to the streets to spread the message. A Telford-based crew set up an information kiosk at the B&Q store, handing out leaflets about fire prevention and education, while the Oswestry crew were at the town's market.

How to claim your free smoke alarm

Seven Shropshire Star offices are giving away free smoke alarms to those who qualify. Priority will be given to those who are over the age of 75, with a disability or long-term sickness.

Relatives are able to collect alarms on behalf of family members. Only one alarm will be given out, per family, subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

TELFORD: Waterloo Road, Ketley, TF1 5HU

SHREWSBURY: 7 Bellstone, SY1 1HU

LUDLOW: The Angel, Broad Street, SY8 1NG

OSWESTRY: 14 Salop Road, SY11 2NU

MARKET DRAYTON: 81 Shropshire Street, TF9 7AL

NEWPORT: 32 St Mary Street, TF10 7AL

BRIDGNORTH: 50A High Street, WV16 4DX

Everyone issued with an alarm will be asked to fill in a contact information form. This is purely for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service's own information purposes, and will not be shared with any other agencies for marketing purposes.

Firefighters will also be out and about this week giving out fire safety advice as part of the campaign.

In Oswestry, they be at the market, from 10am to noon on April 4, outside Clinton Cards from 1pm-3pm on April 5, and outside Sainsbury's from 11am-1pm on April 6.

In Bridgnorth, they will be under the Town Hall on April 3 or 4, and at Sainsbury's on April 5 during the afternoon.

And in Telford, teams from Telford Central and Wellington stations will be at B&Q at various times between 10.30am and 5pm on April 7 and 10.

DIY chain B&Q is also supporting the campaign, and offering discounts on a range of smoke alarms at its stores in Telford and Shrewsbury this week.