I CANNOT believe how many people fail to recognise the importance of smoke alarms. We do house sitting and find that in the richest of houses they don't have them.

The fire service will check your house and fit smoke alarms, all without any charge whatsoever.

It's too late to say: "We'll buy a smoke alarm next time around." Chances are, there won't be one.

MAUREEN ARNFIELD, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors.