Former top flight football referee Uriah Rennie is backing a South Yorkshire wide push to encourage free smoke alarm sign ups amongst black and minority ethnic (BME) communities.

Uriah, who became the first black referee to officiate in the Premier League, has been visited by firefighters at his home in Moorgate, Rotherham, in an effort to raise awareness of South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s free home safety checks.

Firefighters from Rotherham fire station fitted smoke alarms and gave Uriah advice on fire escape plans and how to make his home safer.

The fire service is targeting BME groups in South Yorkshire as it seeks to work with areas of the community which are most at risk from fire, in a bid to further reduce deaths, injuries and incidents.

Uriah said: “The fire service continue do a fantastic job and work incredibly hard to keep the risk of accidental house fires low. But there are still thousands of homes across the county without working smoke alarms, putting their homes and personal and family safety at a risk as a result.

“I was taken by surprise to hear the advice of firefighters and am extremely grateful for the smoke alarms they have fitted. Now I hope others will follow my lead and contact the fire service today to arrange a free home safety check.”

The cornerstone of the SYFR’s fire safety agenda is the need to be more pro-active in the prevention of fire together with free home safety checks.

During a check, firefighters or community safety staff will visit your home at a convenient time to carry out the Home Safety Check.  During the visit you can get advice on:

• How to make your home safer
• What to do in the event of a fire
• What to do if you are trapped by a fire

They will also fit a free smoke alarm if your house is without one and explain how to maintain it correctly.