Plans to make every home in Scotland install an interlinked system of smoke alarms have been pushed back to 2022.
Homeowners and landlords had been expected to comply from February next year, costing about £220 for a three-bedroomed home.
But the Scottish Government have asked MSPs to formally delay the scheme due to the impact of COVID.
Age Scotland charity said there was a lack of public awareness of the change.
Properties are currently required to have individual smoke alarms on different levels, depending on size.
Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “We remain committed to regulations which will mean everyone will benefit from the same level of protection.”
Leader of the South Lanarkshire Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Robert Brown, said the rules were in “no doubt proper and designed to keep people safe” but accused the Scottish Government of forgetting to “advertise the new rules and tell people what was required”.
He added: “I like many other people in South Lanarkshire was alerted to the situation when a commercial company claiming the endorsement of the Scottish Government dropped a flimsy leaflet through their letterbox.
“Rather than reassuring people the leaflet caused alarm with people concerned about the consequences of these changes.
Firstly we need a probe into how this happened. Private companies looking for business should not be allowed to imply they have government backing.
More significantly though there needs to be a proper information campaign when this is all rolled out later next year for the new implementation date in February 2022.
“The rules affect all householders, so householders need to be told about it and proper information put out through community groups.”
