West Yorkshire Fire Service has unveiled a hard-hitting campaign aimed at reducing the number of house fires.

The Recipe for Disaster campaign focuses on fires which are caused by smoking materials and cooking, particularly when people have been drinking - which are found to be the most common causes.

From December 2006 to February 2007 there were 509 domestic fires in West Yorkshire, compared to 387 during the summer months of June to August last year.

The number of people killed in fires in the home is also significantly higher during the winter months. Five people died in West Yorkshire from December 2006 to February 2007 compared to one during the summer months of June to August last year.

The peak times for dwelling fires are at tea time between 5pm and 7pm and when pubs and clubs close between 11pm and 2am.

The campaign posters detail the various key issues such as people falling asleep while cooking, particularly if they happen to be intoxicated.

The county-wide campaign will target pubs, clubs, shops, job centres, post offices, taxi offices and other public places.

Craig McIntosh, the brigade's director of fire safety and community relations, said: "We have found that there is a real increase in the number of fires in the home during the winter months, when people are more likely to be indoors cooking and trying to stay warm.

"The campaign is hard-hitting and uses graphic images because we want it to strike a chord and ultimately reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries. Our aim is to get as much fire safety advice out there as possible and to encourage householders to book a free home fire safety check, which usually involves the fitting of free smoke alarms."

For a free home fire safety check call 0800 587 4536 or visit www.westyorksfire.gov.uk