THE homes of hundreds of people across the borough have been made safer thanks to a free initiative.

Launched by St Helens Council's environmental protection department, home safety checks have been carried out in the homes of more than 600 people in the last 18 months.

Funding has now been secured until April 2006 and more people are being encouraged to have their homes checked. Those who qualify are people aged over 65, families with children under the age of five or vulnerable people.

The safety checks include testing gas fires and boilers for potentially lethal emissions. All gas heating appliances should be tested every year. Electric blankets are also checked for defects. An electric blanket that is more than 10 years old should be discarded and those which are three years old should be checked every year.

Indications that blankets are faulty are folds or creases which could put you at risk of electrocution. Frayed or worn blankets, or those showing signs of scorching, should be replaced.

The homes visited are also checked for other hazards such as overloaded sockets, items stored incorrectly or anything that may cause someone to trip and fall.

For more information about the free home safety checks or to make an appointment contact Peter Lennon, the Council's home safety co-ordinator, on 01744 456468 or write to him at Environmental Protection Department, 3rd Floor, Wesley House, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1HE.