AROUND 11 per cent of over-85s in Ashfield have received a free smoke alarm as part of a scheme to offer home fire safety checks.
The council's customer service centre contacted residents aged 85 and over to see if they wanted the free service to reduce the chance of a fire or accident in their home.
Around 560 residents were contacted through the joint initiative from Notts County Council and Notts Fire and Rescue Service, with 48 per cent of people already having a smoke alarm.
The 45-minute checks allow firefighters to advise residents on a range of safety issues, including overloading plugs, trailing wires and the importance of installing and testing smoke alarms.
There were 207 house fires involving an elderly resident in Nottinghamshire in 2012/13, 187 in 2011/12 and 193 in 2010/11.
Paul McKay, service director for promoting independence and public protection at Notts County Council, said: "We are really pleased with the success of this pilot.
"This vulnerable group, who already access our services, can have a safety check to prevent the risk of fire and injuries in their home."
Chris Hooper, engagement and partnership manager at the Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Through the pilot scheme, we carried out 60 home fire safety checks on vulnerable individuals in the Ashfield area. This pilot will now be evaluated to look at how it can be improved before it is rolled out across the county, district by district.
"This is a major step forward for us and will enable us to quickly and efficiently identify and assist people that we consider most at risk of fire."
People over 85 wanting a free home fire safety check should contact the Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 022 3235 or email vulnerable.people@notts-fire.gov.uk
A free tool to help older people test their smoke alarms without standing on chairs or climbing ladders is available free of charge from the council by calling 0115 977 4676 or phoning the Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 022 3235.