A NEW campaign to warn people about the dangers of careless smoking has been launched by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"Put it Out. Right out" is the first Government publicity campaign supported by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service to focus on smoking as a major fire risk.

The campaign highlights how easy it is for fires to start because of one cigarette and its devastating impact. It aims to alert people to the dangers of careless smoking and encourage them to take care when and where they smoke. In particular, it urges people to be especially careful when putting out cigarettes.

Four people lost their lives in Hertfordshire between mid December 2000 and mid December 2001 as a result of fires caused by cigarettes.

In England and Wales a third of all fire deaths in the home were caused by cigarette fires.

The county's Chief Fire Officer, Steve Seaber, said: "A large number of fatalities have been from cigarette fires. The terrible tragedy is that most of these deaths could have been prevented if smokers had just taken a few simple precautions.

"The other thing smokers should be aware of is that it can happen to anyone, young or old. If you're smoking late at night or after a drink, your reactions tend to be slower. That's the time you need to take extra care."