When we think about home safety, most of us imagine that a working smoke alarm is a given—a silent guardian, ready to act at the first sign of danger. But what if that trusty device isn’t as reliable as we think?
One Sydney mum’s harrowing experience is a wake-up call for all Australians, especially as winter sets in and the risk of house fires rises.
Montana Adams, a mother from Macquarie Fields, lived through every parent’s nightmare—not once, but twice in just 10 days.
Her story powerfully reminds us that a smoke alarm is only as good as its last test and that complacency can have devastating consequences.
It all began on a seemingly ordinary day in May last year. Adams was tidying up her granny flat when her daughter burst in, panic-stricken, to say there was a fire in the main house.
Rushing outside, Adams saw flames engulfing the air conditioning unit attached to the house. She sprinted inside, choking on black smoke to ensure everyone was out. Thankfully, the family escaped unharmed, and firefighters quickly doused the flames. The house was spared, but the real shock came when the fire crew asked if the smoke alarms had sounded.
‘They asked us, “Did the fire alarms go off?” and we said no,’ Adams recalled. ‘We asked them to check them and both smoke alarms that were in the property—one upstairs and one downstairs—were found to be defective.’
The firefighters replaced the faulty alarms on the spot. It was a lucky escape, but the family’s ordeal was far from over.
Just 10 days later, at 2 am, the new smoke alarms blared. This time, Adams woke to the unmistakable smell of smoke.
She leapt into action, kicking down doors and gathering her children—including two with disabilities—as flames began to consume the lounge room. The family ran through the fire to escape, making it out in time.
Tragically, they lost a beloved pet, and the house was soon engulfed. As Adams drove away, the windows exploded behind her.
The fire brigade arrived within minutes, but the house was already lost. Shaken and scattered, the family sought refuge with relatives in the granny flat.
But the nightmare wasn’t over: the house reignited, and the flames spread to the granny flat. The ordeal dragged on for 11 traumatic hours.
‘It was so traumatic. I still see the flames now, I hear the cracking, and I still hear the windows exploding,’ Adams said. ‘If it wasn’t for those smoke alarms, there 100 per cent would have been a fatality.’
The hidden dangers in our homes
Adams’s story is a stark reminder that house fires can happen to anyone at anytime. And as the data shows, the risk is far from trivial.
Allianz recently revealed that claims for electric blanket, heater, and fireplace-related fires reached $8 million between March 2023 and March 2025.
Wood-burning heaters were the worst offenders, causing twice as much damage as electric blankets, accounting for over $255,000 in claims.
Fire and Rescue New South Wales reports that residential fires spike by more than 26 per cent in winter, with nearly 30 per cent more injuries.
Around 45 per cent of homes affected by fire had no smoke alarm or one that wasn’t working.
It’s easy to assume that you’re protected if you have a smoke alarm. But as Adams’s experience shows, that’s not always the case.
Smoke alarms can fail for various reasons, such as flat batteries, age, dust, or faulty wiring. If you haven’t tested yours recently, you could live with a false sense of security.
Adams also urges everyone to keep appliances up to date and to be wary of overloading powerboards—a common cause of house fires.
If you’re using heaters, electric blankets, or other winter warmers, check for frayed cords, faulty plugs, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
‘We were all close to death,’ Adams said. Her message is clear: don’t wait for a close call to check your smoke alarms and fire safety plan. A few minutes of maintenance could save your life—and the lives of those you love.
Have you ever had a close call with a house fire or discovered a faulty smoke alarm just in time? What steps do you take to keep your home safe, especially in winter? Share your stories and tips in the comments below—your experience could help save a life.
Also read: No smoke, still fire: The rising threat of lung cancer for non-smokers
