Half of residents do not regularly check their smoke alarms, an online poll by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has revealed.
And most people are not aware the average one has a lifespan of 10 years, a 2018 commissioned survey found.
However, 91 percent of homes do have working smoke alarms.
Will Newman, Head of Prevention at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Most people simply fit and forget - they don’t know if it might be coming to the end of its lifespan or not working at all.
"If your alarm is getting past its best or your top floor is missing an alarm of its own, fit new ones, test them at least once a month and protect your loved ones.”
During March, the service is encouraging Essex residents to make fire safety a priority by ensuring they have enough smoke alarms in the home and that they work.
Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book for more information
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here