Say `No' to salesmen selling cheap furniture at your door and stay safe. That's the message from Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards Service, following an investigation into door-to-door sales of budget 3-piece suites that don't meet UK fire safety legislation.

The warning comes after Hampshire Trading Standards discovered illegal furniture from Poland at a remote warehouse in South Wonston, Winchester. In total 35 pieces of furniture were seized. Samples were taken and tested against flammability standards. The furniture, which was marked with labels claiming it complies with safety regulations, was found to be unsafe - burning rapidly, producing toxic smoke and becoming a fireball in under three minutes.

Trading Standards have learned that after the furniture was dropped off at the Hampshire warehouse, it was separated into smaller quantities that were picked up by men in Transit vans to be sold to local people door-to-door.

Doorstep sales of illegal furniture is a nationwide problem that the police are aware of and investigations are currently being carried out. However, Trading Standards are hoping to put a stop to this illegal practice by discouraging people from buying such goods at the door.

Rod Hammerton, Community Safety Manager at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, commenting on the unsafe furniture: "It is essential that people always consider the fire safety of any furniture they purchase to protect their homes and families. It is appalling that unsafe furniture is being sold with labels implying it complies with fire safety regulations - this is undoubtedly putting lives at risk. If any members of the local community are concerned about the fire safety of their furniture they should contact Hampshire Trading Standards."

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "It is shocking that unsafe furniture is being sold to people at their doors. It is even more worrying that these goods are labelled as safe, when they are far from it. These pieces of furniture may be cheap, but they are not a good deal if they put lives at risk.

"It is often the most vulnerable people in the community who are targeted by these unscrupulous sales people who try and push their products onto those who find it difficult to say `no'."

Anyone who has concerns about someone selling goods or offering services at their doorstep can contact Trading Standards' Quick Response Team (QRT), which aims to catch rogue traders in action. Since its launch in June 2004 the QRT has saved residents tens of thousands of pounds that could have gone into the pockets of conmen and criminals.

Residents seeking peace of mind can also use the Buy With Confidence Scheme, which is a list of local businesses offering goods and services that have been assessed for trustworthiness and compliance with the law by Trading Standards.

Anyone who receives a call from someone selling furniture should contact Trading Standards on 01962 869765 or rsadvice@hants.gov.uk, giving as much information as possible, including the registration of any vehicles used.

The Quick Response Team can be contacted on 01962 846316 and a complete list of approved traders can be found at www.buywithconfidence.info.

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit, where Firefighters will help people to identify and reduce fire risks in their home, highlight the importance of having an escape plan should a fire happen, and if necessary fit smoke alarms, the number to call is 023 8062 6809.