LIVES AT RISK THROUGH CREDIT CRUNCH

7:05am Tuesday 7th October 2008

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LIVES could be at risk as Dorset's most vulnerable residents desperately struggle to keep warm, fire safety experts have warned.

Fuel poverty is expected to hit more than five million UK households in the coming months, with energy prices rising to unprecedented levels.

As they try to keep costs down, it is feared that the elderly and vulnerable will turn to unsafe, and potentially lethal, old heaters and electric blankets.

Dorset's fire-related death toll in the last 12 months is already into double figures and the county's Fire and Rescue Service is determined to prevent further tragedies.

Community safety officer Steve Crooks said: "The worry is people can't afford to heat their homes.

"We are concerned about old heaters that might have been sitting in sheds or attics which may not be safe.

"People conscious of cost could also sit too close to a fire - even modern fire-resistant furniture will burn eventually."

All furniture should be kept a minimum of three feet away from any heat source and appliances more than 10 years old should be checked.

He admitted there was "concern" over last year's "significant" death toll, with Dorset having slipped from being one of the UK's safest counties to one of the worst.

"In an ideal world, we would have no fire-related deaths," said Mr Crooks.

"Advising people about fire safety in their homes is far better than trying to save them from a fire."

Dorset Fire and Rescue offer free home fire safety checks and, in partnership with Age Concern, unsafe electric heaters and blankets are replaced.

Dennis Blacker, chairman of Age Concern Poole, said the elderly had very real concerns over keeping warm this winter.

He said: "The office has been inundated with calls about energy since the prices started escalating.

"We are worried about alternative forms of heating that might be used.

"Electric fires can be lethal. I have seen a fire being used that was 65 years old."

Mr Blacker advised elderly people to contact their council about free insulation for their house, and also the Dorset Energy Advice Centre, which offers free and impartial advice about energy saving on 0800 512012.

• For information on free home safety checks, call 01202 844655 or visit dorsetfire.co.uk.