A quarter of Britain's homes do not have a smoke alarm, according to research

A quarter of Britain's homes do not have a smoke alarm, according to research.

The study of 2,000 homeowners also found 27 per cent do not have a carbon monoxide detector installed, and 41 per cent of those who do fail to test the battery annually.

Just 29 per cent change the battery every year and 27 per cent admit they are tired of having to regularly check things within the home.

Joanna Flowers, a service and repair engineer at British Gas, which commissioned the research for Gas Safety Week (9th-15th September), said: “Carrying out regular maintenance checks of household appliances and alarms not only makes sure things are working as they should be, but can help identify any serious faults that could potentially put people at risk.

“Gas appliances that have not been properly maintained can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Installing a carbon monoxide alarm and checking it’s in good working condition regularly will help the overall safety of your home.”

The research found homeowners are better with their boilers, with 72 per cent having them serviced annually.

But 13 per cent admitted they have no idea how their boiler works, and 44 per cent wouldn’t be confident changing the settings themselves.

Similarly, 39 per cent don’t go near the controls in case they change something which can’t be reverted.

In an attempt to understand their central heating system, 31 per cent say they have searched online for answers.

But 21 per cent admitted they’re not good at remembering to book in a service for their boiler, despite 74 per cent knowing it’s very important to do so.

As a result, 11 per cent believe they waste money on household bills due to not understanding how things work.

When buying their most recent home, 36 per cent made sure they found out when their boiler was last serviced, but 20 per cent ended up having an issue with it within 12 months.

Joanna Flowers for British Gas, which is reducing the price of its boiler service by 25 per cent ahead of the winter months to help households ensure their boiler is working efficiently, added: “It’s easy to overlook simple checks around the house and the research findings show that homeowners are doing just that.

“An annual boiler service is essential for keeping a household system running smoothly and efficiently while also helping to prolong its lifespan.

“We recommend getting your boiler serviced once a year to give you peace of mind that everything is working as it should be.”