Fire Brigades Union members will be taking part in a further period of strike action on the run up to Bonfire Night, as part of the national protest against changes to fire fighter pensions.

Strike action will take place for a period of four continuous days, starting at 6pm on October 31 until 6pm on November 4.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union within Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are expected to join the planned strike action.

Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service (CFRS) deputy chief fire officer, Paul Walker said: “We are working on our contingency plans to ensure we maintain minimum levels of cover during the strike action. The most important thing to remember is that if you do have a fire, get out of the building, stay out and call 999 – you will get an emergency response.

"We will continue to respond to emergency calls and will obviously prioritise those where lives are at risk. Public and fire fighter safety remains of paramount importance and we will give the best service to the people of Cornwall within the limitations of the resources available to us.

"My message to residents, businesses and visitors is to remain vigilant; particularly given it’s half-term, Halloween and the build-up to bonfire night.”

Now is a good time to be mindful of these fire safety tips:

• In the event of fire, you should get out, stay out and call 999 – you will get an emergency response.

• Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home

• Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they’re working. Test them regularly

• Stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully

• Plan your escape route and make sure everyone knows how to get out in a fire

• Take extra care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended

• Do not overload electrical sockets. Watch out for faulty and over-heating electrical equipment, and wiring/cables

• Drinking alcohol? Plan how to get home safely without driving.

In addition people are urged to be extra careful during the build-up to bonfire night, and to take extra care if they are handling fireworks:

• Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin

• Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately

• Never put fireworks in your pocket

• Read the instructions carefully using a torch or hand lamp – never use a naked flame

• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper or a firework lighter

• Stand well back and never return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face

• Ensure that all children are well supervised

• Never throw fireworks

• Keep all pets and animals indoors

• Take care of sparklers - wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished • Remember to be careful with bonfires too. It's much better to manage without one. However if you insist on having one, make sure it's well away from your house and any trees, hedges, fences or sheds.

• Never use a flammable liquid like petrol or paraffin to get one going. If lighting your bonfire is difficult, use only domestic firelighters to help.

• Check very carefully that there's no animal (or even a young child) hidden inside the bonfire. Don't light it until all your fireworks have been let off.

Prevention advice and guidance has been prepared for businesses and residents on www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire.

Paul Walker added: “This is a national dispute between members of the Fire Brigades Union and the Government over proposed changes to pensions and is not directed against Cornwall Council or Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. While the strike action will inevitably have an impact on fire and rescue services, I want to reassure you that residents in Cornwall will not be left without emergency cover in life-threatening situations.”