North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is launching a new pilot as part of national Road Safety Week which will see older residents being offered ‘road safety’ advice whilst having a free home safety check.

Staff from the Service have been visiting homes across the region for a number of years to give fire safety advice and checking that residents have working smoke alarms fitted.

From this week, a new pilot will also give residents aged over 65 living in Conwy and Ynys Môn the opportunity take part in a ‘motor check’ with a member of Service staff.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Staff will help occupiers to check their own vehicles. This will include a check of headlights and wipers and of sufficient tread on tyres.

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our free home safety checks have proved very popular with residents, and we were keen to look at other ways in which we keep our communities as safe as possible.

“We do a lot of work educating young people about safety behind the wheel, but we also wanted to help ensure that our older residents are as safe as possible when driving.

“This is why we are introducing this pilot – it is in no way a formal assessment, but will demonstrate to residents how to undertake basic car checks and help point out potential dangers as well as giving advice.

“We will also be working in partnership with local councils and signposting to courses and assessments that are available.

“We continue to work to keep our communities safe and I believe that it is important to evolve and examine ways in which we can assist our partners to do the same.”

For a free home safety check and advice on safety in your home, please call North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's free 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234 or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk or text 88365, ensuring you prefix your message with the word HFSC.