We've just bought MIL a smoke alarm at it turns out she's never had one. Despite there being smokers in the house for many years (thankfully no more), despite having a real fire, and despite all her GC's staying there regularly. Despite, well, everything.
She's agreed to have one as we're insisting. I only found out last week that there wasn't one (I admit I'd never looked and assumed she had one already) otherwise I would have bought her one years ago.
Her reason for never having had one? It's health and safety and it's "crap"!!! She always had windows open, and has air vents, so there's no risk from fire or smoke. They're unecessary. And of course her insurance would pay out if she had a fire even though she has no working detectors. She's lived for xx amount of years without one and is fine, so why get one now? All her children survived there without one too.
DH, who's not usually very forceful with his mum in that he lets her get away with sometimes ridiculous views, told her if he wants us to keep staying there then she has to have the alarm and no arguements (don't ask me why he's suddenly decided this...).
She's no luddite either, she knows alot more about technology and gadgets than me.
But I just can't quite believe that someone can be this ridiculous and darnright stupid over the importance of having a working smoke alarm!!! They cost a tenner and they SAVE LIVES. How can she not see this?!