I WAS saddened, like all of us, to read of the terrible fire tragedy in Renfrew, where once again we hear of the fatal consequences of smoke inhalation, and a smoke detector with no battery.

I am sure it's not that the householders can't afford batteries for the smoke detectors, it's because there is a great temptation to ''borrow'' the AA size battery for a TV remote control, video remote control, or even a battery clock which suddenly stops working, usually in the late evening. Replacement of the borrowed battery is sadly too often forgotten.

These tragedies could be prevented by simply introducing in these detectors a battery of unusual shape or size which will not fit other appliances.

For hotels and public buildings there are detectors available which, via a small transformer, are hooked into the mains, but for some obscure reason DIY stores don't seem to have these, although there are plenty of doorbells which work this way.

Robert Hunter,

The Lochans,

Gartmore, Stirling.

May 31.