COULD I please ask people who don't have smoke alarms fitted in their homes to consider doing so?

I didn't have any at all and had a very lucky escape.

I got up at my usual time of 6am and came downstairs, I opened the door and couldn't see a thing, my kitchen was thick with smoke and fumes.

At first I thought it was due to a new chest freezer we had recently bought and that the fumes were gas from the unit.

I shouted to my husband and opened the back door and window. My electric kettle was on fire.

We always used to leave the kettle plugged in but not switched on so what happened is a mystery.

The same day we went and bought two smoke alarms for only £3.99 each. The peace of mind it has given me is surprising.

Please, please all you people without any smoke alarms, consider getting them fitted.

We were lucky. We could have lost our lives, home and pets. Now we have early warning.

LYNDA M MAYOR (Mrs), Commercial Road, Great Harwood.