Actress Jill Halfpenny joins forces with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to back national fire safety campaign

Oct 28 2009 by Gary Porter, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with actress Jill Halfpenny to launch a Government initiative.

As part of the national ‘Don’t Drown in Toxic Smoke’ campaign, the former EastEnders and Coronation Street star was placed in a simulation unit to experience first hand what it is like to be in a smoky environment.

The aim of the campaign is to get the public into the habit of testing their smoke alarms on a weekly basis.

Phil Hales, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s head of community safety, said: “Toxic smoke from a fire will affect your ability to breathe in a similar way to drowning – after just two to three breaths you’re unconscious.

“The only way to buy more precious seconds to escape is by having a working smoking alarm.”

Jill said: “As a mum, I am very conscious of trying to keep my home as safe as possible to reduce the risks from fire.”