North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to look out for elderly relatives and neighbours on Older People's Day 2014 which takes place today (Wednesday 1^st October).

Statistics show that the risk of dying in a fire for those aged 65 and over is more than twice as high as the average risk for all ages. And with an ageing population - 23% of the UK will be aged 65 and over by 2035.

Although older people are at greater risk from fire there are a few simple precautions they can take to make sure they are as safe as possible.

Staff from the Service attended a variety of events today to promote fire safety for older people including the 'Five ways to wellbeing' event in Connah's Quay, and a presentation to a group of older people in Rhyl.

Dave Roberts, Partnership Manager for Flintshire and Wrexham said: "Older people are one of the groups that we as a Service as trying to target, therefore the 'Five ways to wellbeing' is a great event for us to attend. Visitors to the event today were able to get a range of advice from a number of different agencies. We promote our free home fire safety checks where a member of the fire and rescue service will visit your home to discuss fire safety and install smoke alarms where necessary.

These are available free for all residents in North Wales. To request a check, phone our 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234, or log on to our website www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk."