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Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has quietly expanded its reach into Oldham homes this winter, opening free Home Fire Safety Assessments to anyone who requests one and pushing a fresh set of cold-weather safety messages through local stations.

The move follows a sharp seasonal rise in accidental house fires across the borough, with crews attending 18 chimney and heater-related blazes since November, three of them serious enough to require hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters are now carrying compact sensor kits on routine calls, testing smoke alarms and checking escape routes while they talk to residents about safe heater spacing and candle use. The visit takes 20 minutes and, if alarms fail, crews fit new ones on the spot at no charge.

Station managers say the programme is not means-tested, so private homeowners, private renters and housing association tenants can all book a slot. The only stipulation is that someone aged over 18 must be present during the check.

Alongside the home visits, GMFRS has released a short winter safety animation on social media and sent pocket guides to every Oldham primary school, urging families to test alarms weekly and keep heaters a metre from curtains, beds and sofas.