An amnesty on dangerous heating is being launched by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service for the elderly in a bid to reduce house fires and deaths.
It will offer vulnerable pensioners the opportunity to swap their unsafe heaters for free oil-filled radiators at seven fire stations in Merseyside as part of the Dangerous Heating Exchange Scheme.
It is being delivered by Fire Support Network, the charitable arm of MF&RS, in conjunction with the fire service.
There are 140 free radiators available, which will only be given out to people who are aged 65 and over, who have an old out-dated heater. Each of the seven fire stations will have 20 to give away and they will be available on a first come first serve basis.
People can swap their old or unsafe heaters for new safer radiators at the following stations on the dates shown: Southport Fire Station, Monday, February 6; Crosby Fire Station on Tuesday, February 7; Toxteth Fire Station on Wednesday, February 8; Belle Vale Fire Station on Thursday, February 9; Huyton Fire Station on Friday, February 10; Birkenhead Fire Station on Monday, February 13 and St Helens Fire Station on Tuesday, February 14.
The radiators have been provided through partnerships with external companies such as Dimplex. It coincides with the MF&RS Emergency Heating Campaign, which is currently providing free radiators to homes of vulnerable people in Liverpool, Wirral and Sefton.
Phil Garrigan, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, said: “We are delighted to offer people the opportunity for vulnerable, elderly people to swap their unsafe heating methods for safer oil-filled radiators. Through the amnesty we aim to reduce fire deaths caused by dangerous heating and excess winter deaths resulting from cold conditions.”
People are warned that the radiators are heavy and they will need to provide their own transportation.