SMOKERS are being urged to be vigilant after new research shows cigarette fires cause more deaths than any other type of fire.

Latest figures show that although only 7% of all house fires are caused by cigarettes, there are more deaths in these fires than in any other kind.

Smoking-related fires account for a third of all accidental fire deaths.

The Government and fire services across the UK today launched a month-long awareness campaign called Put It Out. Right Out!

They hope the campaign will make people take precautions.

It reinforces fire services's new emphasis on life-saving prevention, backed by £43m from the Government.

Richard Hagger, West Yorkshire Fire Service's assistant divisional officer for community fire safety, said fire prevention was high on his team's agenda.

His team has started visiting people in areas where there have been recent fires, to distribute information and give talks. The aim is to raise awareness while the issue is still in people's minds.

Fire safety officers also visit schools.

Mr Hagger said: "We are having a major drive to drive down incidents across the board. We want people to be aware of the dangers. There are quite a lot of fires due to smoking in West Yorkshire."

"Smoking in bed is not as prevalent as it was, but it still happens. There are always people who ignore advice."

Mr Hagger also said it was vital to install a working smoke alarm and check it regularly.

Cigarettes should be doused in water to make sure they are out, or stubbed out thoroughly in proper ashtrays. Ashtrays should be where they cannot be knocked over and should be emptied into a metal container - never a litter bin.

Ashtrays should be checked for lit embers before you go to bed.

Smokers should not smoke in bed or anywhere they could fall asleep. They should take special care to extinguish cigarettes if they have been drinking, on medication or are tired.

All households should have a plan of escape in case of a fire.

Fire safety minister Phil Hope said:

"A cigarette burns at 700ºC, so make sure it really is out. That could save your and your family's lives."

For a free home fire safety check phone 0800 5874536.