ONE in five people are relying on their dog to wake them if their house catches fire.
Now people have again been urged to buy smoke alarms and test them every week.
Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik launched a fire safety campaign this week.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities said: “Toxic smoke from a fire will affect your ability to breathe in a similar way to drowning – after just two or three breaths you’re unconscious.
“The only way to buy more precious seconds to escape is by having a working smoke alarm.
“Owning a smoke alarm and hoping it works is not enough to protect your home and loved ones.
“Take immediate action by getting a smoke alarm, testing it weekly and planning an escape route. You can also get a free home fire risk check from your local fire service.”
Mr Malik was speaking at the launch of Don’t Drown in Toxic Smoke, a year-long Government television advertising campaign.
New research shows that 43% of people wrongly believe they could survive for more than two minutes in a smoke-filled room.
Some 18% of people believe they would be alerted to a house fire by their dog barking.
