ADD fire safety to your list of New Year resolutions. That s the advice of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service which is suggesting five tips to help keep homes free from fire in 2010. * Fit a smoke alarm - this is an easy one to do and it could save you

ADD fire safety to your list of New Year resolutions.

That's the advice of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service which is suggesting five tips to help keep homes free from fire in 2010.

* Fit a smoke alarm - this is an easy one to do and it could save your life. Fit smoke alarms on each floor of your home and remember to test them every week.

* Plan your escape route - make sure you can escape if a fire starts. Plan two possible routes and keep them clear.

* Make a bedtime check - this could prevent a fire or help you escape if you need to. Closing internal doors will help keep your escape route clear from smoke for longer.

* Check your electrical appliances - plugs and cables should be in good condition and take care not to overload sockets.

* Check everyone in your household knows what to do in a fire - make sure door and window keys can be found in an emergency and consider leaving your address by the phone so that children or guests can easily find it and read it out to the emergency services.

If you do have a fire, get everyone out, then dial 999 from outside.

Chief fire officer Roy Wilsher said: "A fire in the home can be devastating, it endangers life and destroys property.

Making a few simple checks as part your daily routine could prevent a fire from starting. If a fire does start, having a working smoke alarm and a planned escape route could keep you and your family alive in what could be a very frightening and disorientating situation.

"Smoke produced by even a small fire is extremely deadly, so it is vital to protect yourself and your family by testing your smoke alarm weekly. If you don't already own a smoke alarm, don't take a chance with your life - install one today."

You can obtain advice by either calling in or phoning your local fire station or by calling 01438 737399. You can also log onto www.hertsdirect.org/fire and www.firekills.gov.uk for further fire safety information.