A Minister of State has highlighted the hazards of smoking and drinking alcohol at home, particularly in the wake of the smoking ban.
Figures released at the launch of Fire Safety Week yesterday reveal that of the 37 people who died in fires in Ireland last year, all but four lost their lives in the home.
Investigators also found that there were working smoke alarms in only two cases.
Speaking at the Central Fire Station in Cork, the newly appointed Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, said people needed to become more educated in relation to the risks associated with smoking and drinking alcohol in the home.
The National Safety Council (NSC) has produced a new television advert that highlights how careless people can be when they are under the influence of alcohol.
Mr O'Keeffe said better safety measures needed to be put in place to prevent fire deaths.
"There are two areas that are particularly important. One is the vulnerable elderly. You will find that in most of the fatalities the people are over 65 and are living in isolated areas. These are most at risk. It is important that we look out for them."
To coincide with the launch, the NSC is urging people to "buy a smoke alarm, test it every Monday and save your family's life."
International research shows that a working smoke alarm reduced the risk of death in fire by nearly 50 per cent. It gives householders time to act before smoke and fumes can build up to life-threatening levels.
According to the council, most fires happen at night when people are asleep.
Furthermore smoke, not heat or flames, causes the majority of fire deaths in Ireland and the smoke given off by some furnishing materials can kill very quickly.
A number of activities are taking place during Fire Safety Week including open days at fire stations, Fire Brigade visits to schools and community lectures.
Meanwhile a telephone poll of smokers undertaken earlier this year by Millward Brown, on behalf of the NSC, revealed that 31 per cent of smokers indicated that they are likely to consume alcohol at home more often as a result of the smoking ban.
A further 35 per cent of those polled said they are likely to smoke at home more often as a result of the ban.