The campaign warns of the devastating consequences of fire

It comes as statistics show that alcohol is the greatest single contributory factor to people dying in house fires.

Last year 24 people perished in alcohol-related fires in Scotland.

The country's eight fire services are warning of the direct link between alcohol misuse and accidental blazes.

The campaign includes a TV advert and is targeting men aged between 30 and 59, as figures show this group is at higher risk of experiencing an accidental alcohol-related fire in the home.

ALCOHOL-RELATED FIRES APRIL 2005 - MARCH 2006 Strathclyde - 15 Tayside - 3 Lothian and Borders - 2 Grampian - 1 Fife - 1 Dumfries and Galloway - 1 Highlands and Islands - 1 Central - 0

The most common causes of fires where alcohol was a contributory factor involved the careless use of cigarettes, lighters and matches or accidents while making food.

It highlights the particular risk to children who are asleep in the home.

In the Strathclyde area, 58% of all fire fatalities were directly related to alcohol abuse.

Brian Sweeney, chief officer of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: "Alcohol continues to be the greatest single contributory factor to people dying in accidental dwelling house fires in Scotland.

"All too often, we witness the devastating effect fire has on families and communities and we need to ensure people are aware of the direct connection between alcohol misuse and fires."

I noticed smoke belching out from under the living room door and soon realised that my house was exploding around me Paul Lennie Glasgow

He stressed the importance of having a working smoke alarm.

Paul Lennie, from Govanhill in Glasgow, experienced a fire in his home after returning from a night out last March.

The flat where he had lived for more than 20 years and all his belongings were destroyed by an extensive blaze which started in the living room.

The official report concluded that the fire was accidental and caused by a discarded cigarette.

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The 47-year-old said: "I had been out for the night and returned to my flat with my pal where we sat up till around 3am.

"I then went to bed and woke to the smell of burning. As I walked down the stairs, I noticed smoke belching out from under the living room door and soon realised that my house was exploding around me.

"We were lucky to escape with no injuries, but the fire left me with nothing as I wasn't properly insured."

Alcohol Focus Scotland warned that being drunk could make you uncoordinated and uninhibited and that if you lose control then you are more likely to put yourself and your family at risk by causing a fire from cooking or smoking.

It added that being under the influence reduced the chances of being able to detect and safely escape a fire.

Advice on fire prevention and home safety checks is available from dontgivefireahome.com.