A fire safety campaign costing �140,000 has been launched in Scotland six days before firefighters are due to stage their first strike for 25 years.

People are being advised to: "Get out, stay out and call 999" if fire breaks out in their homes.

Posters and adverts will appear around Scotland from Tuesday 29 October, when firefighters are set to begin a two-day stoppage.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace said it was "absolutely essential" that everything possible was being done to prevent fires starting.

Fire facts

Scotland has 4,588 full-time firefighters 2,799 part-time firefighters 1,200 volunteer firefighters 520 fire engines 30 aerial appliances 14 rescue and emergency vehicles 59 other specialist vehicles 109 Green Godesses will be used in Scotland

"We are doing everything we can to ensure that the public know exactly what steps they should take to prevent fires starting," he insisted.

"Some 80% of fire deaths occur in the home so it's vital that you make sure your family is protected to stop fire before it starts."

These measures included taking extra care cooking with chip pans and hot oil, putting out cigarettes and candles properly, switching off electrical appliances at night, keeping matches and lighters away from children, and fitting smoke alarms on every floor of the home.

'Essential services'

The Scottish campaign is part of a UK-wide safety drive costing �1.8m .

The government has been asking the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to clarify its position on providing essential services during the walkouts.

One of the executive's posters

A voluntary code drawn up in 1979 by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) says public safety should not be compromised during industrial action.

The government says it is worried that some people will think that the 999 service will be suspended while the fire strikes are on.

The industrial action is part of a campaign by the FBU to secure a 40% pay rise for its members.

The government has dismissed that as impossible, and attacked the Fire Brigades Union's refusal to take part in an independent pay and conditions review - coupled with a 4% interim pay rise - as "simply indefensible".

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