TV star leads fight to protect seniors from house fires

When you're over 60, every night should end with peaceful sleep, not a race against deadly flames. Yet shocking research reveals that more than a third of those who died in residential fires were aged over 65, making this the most vulnerable group in Australia's preventable fire crisis.

TV personality Mike Goldman learned this the hard way when fire tore through his Queensland home at 4 am, causing up to $1 million in damage.

But he's alive to tell the story for one crucial reason—and now he's fighting to ensure every Australian has the same protection that saved his family.

When seconds count, Queensland's gold standard delivers

Queensland's legislation specifies that all dwellings are required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the dwelling and on every level. For Goldman's family, this comprehensive coverage proved life-saving.

'If they're all going off, you know,' Goldman explained, highlighting how the interconnected system ensured the entire family was alerted simultaneously, despite the fire starting away from the bedrooms.

The tragic reality is that more than 900 people died in preventable residential fires in Australia between July 2003 and June 2017—a tragedy on the scale of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires which killed 173 people.

What makes this even more devastating is that based on Fire & Rescue NSW research, one third to a half of those fatalities may have been prevented if the homes had working smoke alarms and had a practised home escape plan.

Australia's confusing smoke alarm postcode lottery

Here lies the crux of Goldman's frustration: your chance of survival shouldn't depend on which state you call home. Yet Australia's smoke alarm laws create exactly this dangerous disparity.

Queensland has the most stringent smoke alarm laws in Australia, representing the national 'gold standard' of safety. The deadline for all properties to meet these high standards is fast approaching.

By 1 January 2027, every Queensland residence must be upgraded to meet the new legislation.

Meanwhile, in NSW, at least one working smoke alarm must be installed on each level in all buildings where people sleep—a requirement that's been in place since 2006 with a maximum penalty of just $550 for non-compliance.

Why seniors face the greatest risk

The statistics paint a sobering picture for older Australians. Research found that most deaths occur at night in the Australian winter, and more than a third of those who died in residential fires were aged over 65.

Several factors contribute to this heightened vulnerability:

Hearing considerations: Goldman himself discovered he needs hearing aids, noting 'there's a certain frequency that I don't hear when I'm asleep.' He recommends that 'the best ones for people that are hard of hearing and young children are 520 hertz.'

Physical limitations: If the tenant is physically unable to change the battery, the tenant is required to notify the landlord as soon as practicable, recognising that mobility issues can prevent proper maintenance.

Living alone: Risk factors that made people more likely to be killed in fires include those with relative social or financial disadvantage, people having a physical disability, those aged under five and those who lived alone.

The technology that saves lives

Not all smoke alarms are created equal, and this distinction matters enormously for seniors. Every single fire authority in Australia now recommends photoelectric alarms for residential homes, despite some older laws still permitting ionisation alarms.

Photoelectric technology is engineered to provide the earliest possible warning for the most common and dangerous types of house fires. It excels at detecting the large smoke particles from smouldering fires, giving you and your family more time to escape.

For seniors, this early warning can mean the difference between a safe escape and tragedy. Research has revealed that when a fire starts in a bedroom with doors closed, the smoke alarm outside the bedroom will not activate—reinforcing why Goldman's interconnected bedroom alarms were crucial.

Addressing the cost barrier

Goldman raises a critical point about affordability: 'Governments should subsidise it like they do with solar. With cost of living, families can't afford new smoke alarms.'

Currently, support is limited. The Victorian smoke alarm subsidy scheme is government-funded and provides these specialised smoke alarms to deaf and hard-of-hearing people living in Victoria. For more information and to apply for the subsidy, go to: Smoke Alarm Subsidy | Expression Australia.

Goldman has stepped up personally, teaming with Aussie Kidz charity and Queensland Watch Smoke Alarms to provide $10,000 worth of smoke alarms to families who can't afford them.

It's a fact that families with lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who may not have the money to pay for smoke alarms, are at a higher risk.

The path forward: making your voice heard

True peace of mind comes from adopting the national gold standard: a fully interconnected system of photoelectric smoke alarms.

This approach not only provides your family with the earliest possible warning in a fire but also future-proofs your property against the inevitable strengthening of legislation in every state.

Goldman's advocacy isn't just about his personal experience—it's about preventing others from facing the same terror. 'It's mind-blowing that the government don't care and won't make it law (in every state),' he said.

'I just do not understand, they should make it mandatory in every room … people are dying, I'm lucky.'

The evidence supports his position. 'That's something that will need to be considered in the National Strategy,' researchers note. 'Further partnerships between fire services and aged care service providers will be key into the future,' adding that it has become apparent that people who are elderly and disabled need better access to fire safety devices that suit their needs.

Take action today

Don't wait for a 4 am wake-up call like Goldman's family experienced. This is 'CHECKTEMBER' - the perfect time to assess your home's protection.

Start by testing your current alarms and checking their age. Replace the smoke alarm per the manufacturer's specifications—generally after ten years. New units have an expiry date located under the battery.

If you're renting and physically unable to maintain alarms, know your rights. If the tenant is physically unable to change the battery, the tenant is required to notify the landlord as soon as practicable.

Most importantly, add your voice to Goldman's campaign. Contact your local members of parliament and demand national standardisation of smoke alarm laws.

When someone with Goldman's platform is willing to speak out after nearly losing everything, it's time we all took notice.

The question isn't whether Australia will eventually adopt Queensland's comprehensive approach—fire authorities and safety experts universally recommend it. The question is how many more preventable deaths we'll accept while politicians delay.

Goldman's family survived because they lived in the right postcode. That shouldn't be how fire safety works in Australia.

What's your experience with smoke alarms in your home? Have you found it confusing to navigate the different requirements, or do you have tips for fellow seniors on maintaining these vital safety devices?