Richmond firefighters will be parking at the doors of libraries over the next few weeks to give out free fire alarms, offer advice on how to prevent domestic fires, and invite residents to step inside a real fire engine.

Safety information stands will be arming private residents from Richmond upon Thames with the free alarms, thanks to funding from the Greater London Authority. Firefighters will be on hand to offer advice about protecting the home.

Councillor David Linnette said: “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.

“We want Richmond to be London’s safest borough and these free smoke alarms and visits will play a small but significant part in that.

“So over the next few weeks, why not pop to Teddington, Richmond or Whitton libraries to pick up book, a smoke alarm and some fire safety advice.”

The Fire and Rescue Service fights around 50,000 domestic fires every year, which kill an average of 500 people in total and injure 11,000 Richmond Council Cabinet for Libraries.

Members of the public are invited to meet the fire service on the following dates:

Richmond Library – 19 August from 2-4pm

Whitton Library – 21 August from 2-5pm

Please note that Fire Brigade visits are subject to change in the event of an emergency in the borough. Follow @RichmondLibs on Twitter for updates.