Concerning findings by forensic scientists and fire investigators have revealed that some current smoke alarms do not always wake the entire family in the event of a fire - especially children.
The research, carried out by Dundee University and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, tested smoke alarms on 34 children to see if they would wake up when the devices were set off. Shockingly, 27 of the participants repeatedly slept through the smoke detector alarms, the BBC reports.
To improve these stats, they have developed an alarm with a lower pitch and a female voice saying "wake up, the house is on fire". To test their ability to protect an entire household, Dundee University and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue are calling for 500 families to take one home and try them out. If they are successful, his could have massive safety benefits and potentially save lives.
Prof Niamh Nic Daeid, a forensic scientist at Dundee University, said: "Boys are especially hard to wake, and we think they will respond to a human voice."
The new smoke detector has a lower pitch of 520Hz, compared to the 3,000Hz frequency of the standard alarm. It is thought that this will be more effective in waking young children.
Dave Coss, watch manager at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Prof Nic Daeid carried out the initial tests by placing the smoke alarms in the homes of 34 children aged between two and 13. Each child was tested six times, without prior warning.
The results were shocking as only seven children, all girls, woke up at least once, while 27 children slept through all of the six alarm tests. Not one of the boys woke up.
Researchers at Dundee University suggest that there are several theories as to why standard smoke alarms may not be working to wake children.
"Children's hearing ability, brain function, sleep patterns and stage of brain development is very different to adults," Rodney Mountain, from the University's School of Medicine, said. "We are programmed to respond to human voices warning of danger, such as a mother's voice shouting to warn a child. Children are not born pre-programmed for our modern world of danger warning sounds from digital beeps and sirens - they have to learn, recognise and interpret these sounds."
Do you want to get involved?
The study is seeking 500 families with children aged between two and 16 from across the UK to take part in the experiment. Find out how you can get involved here.
Prof Nic Daeid said: "Protecting our children in the event of fire is so fundamentally important that we want to involve parents and their children in expanding this research."
He emphasises that this current study should not undermine the need for every home to have a standard smoke alarm. With a proven account of saving lives, adults will wake up to them and they, in turn, can wake their children.
The Chief Fire Officers Association said it was essential that smoke alarms are tested regularly.
"As this research does indicate that some children may not wake to the sound of a smoke alarm, parents, guardians and responsible adults should ensure that they prepare an escape plan which must account for this. Children must be woken and evacuated as part of this plan."