WILTSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service are warning people to be extra vigilant when it comes to fire safety as the Fire Brigades’ Union plans a series of strikes.

The service dealt with 13 incidents on Sunday when members of the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) were on a nine-hour strike from 10am to 7pm, but none were major incidents.

There is a series of two-hour strikes by the FBU this week, with the first two being staged yesterdat.

Members will strike from 6am to 8am and 5pm to 7pm each day until Friday whenthe strike will be from 6am to 8am and 11pm to 1pm. On Saturday they will strike 11am to 1pm and 11pm to 1am, 5pm to 7pm on Sunday and on Monday, July 21 from 6am to 8am and 5pm to 7pm.

The fire service recommends people make sure their smoke alarms are working, unplug electrical items when leaving the house, avoid leaving cooking unattended, dispose of cigarettes carefully, be careful lighting candles and drivers should stick to the speed limit.

They advise, if you do have a fire during the strike – get out, stay out and call 999, the fire service will respond.

For more safety advice, go to www.wiltsfire.gov.uk.