On the eve of Fire Safety Awareness Week members of the public have started to receive advice on how to stay safe and reduce the risk of fires breaking out in their home particularly when cooking.

The theme of this year's awareness week is "Prevent Cooking Fires ? Watch What You Heat."

Getting the message out to the public was the reason the Bermuda Fire Service mascot Sparky and other members of the service were outside Marketplace in Hamilton this week, meeting shoppers and passers-by and handing out information about fire safety.

And that will also be the message to the fore when fire chiefs and the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association, launch the awareness week on Monday at Hamilton Fire Station.

All next week schools and the public are invited to visit all three fire stations, which are at Clearwater, Port Royal and the headquarters in Hamilton, to learn about fire safety and prevention, meet firefighters and see equipment used in dealing with fires.

Lt. Wenda Godfrey, of Bermuda Fire Service, said: "Firefighter Arthur Raynor will once again be putting on shows for the schools, however this can only be accommodated at headquarters station. He will run five shows a day, three in the morning and two in the afternoon, and encourage the schools or any one who would like to see the show to call the Bermuda Fire Service and book a day and time."

Presently all the morning shows are booked up, but there are slots available during the afternoons.

Anyone who would like home fire safety tips is encouraged to call the Bermuda Fire Service headquarters on 292-5555 or email wmgodfrey