Cheshire Fire and Rescue Serviceis supporting the month-long campaign as part of a national initiative run by the Home Office, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of not having a smoke alarm as well as top tips when purchasing and fitting one.

Fire service urging residents to buy and test smoke alarms with month-long campaign; The campaign being support by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is part of a Home Office national initiative

The occupant had no working smoke alarm on that floor, so they were not alerted to the blaze for some time.

Smoke alarms warning after fire in airing cupboard

Firefighters from the United Kingdom were duped by a parrot that made a confusingly convincing imitation of a smoke alarm.

Parrot's smoke alarm imitations confuse firefighters

This can be done by having tenants sign a smoke alarm agreement and by including a written reminder with each monthly rent receipt, encouraging regular testing of alarms.

Maintaining smoke detectors in rental units can be a chore

But when was the last time you replaced your smoke alarm batteries, or even the alarms themselves?

Add fire safety to your family's routine

BSI, which issues the official smoke alarm Kitemark says "whatever technology type is used, the alarm gives adequate warning when there is a real fire".

Cause for alarm over smoke detector tests? HOME ADVICE Variances in the length of time models take to register threat mean it's vital to do your research when buying one

Phil Lancaster, director of community protection at Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "In many of these cases a smoke alarm may have given an earlier warning for people to get out and stay out and call us as quickly as possible.

Join the unsung heroes, say Cleveland Fire Brigade; ADVERTISING FEATURE

A THIRD of homes involved in Coventry house fires last year either did not have a working smoke alarm fitted.

Third of homes hit by fire didn't have smoke alarm

"Never remove the batteries from your smoke alarm to use in a child's toy or to put into the TV remote, for example.

Many fire homes had no smoke alarms

Less than one-third of children ages 5-15 will wake up if a home smoke alarm sounds, according to a study published in the March issue of Fire and Materials.

Most children sleep through fire alarms