00:01The day Brandon Lewis lost everything in a house fire is still raw, more than a decade on.
00:08Having the fireys running out the hoses and everything, it just didn't feel real.
00:17Smoke alarms alerted neighbours to the fire.
00:19It was pretty devastating, knowing that we'd lost everything that we'd worked for.
00:25He has since dedicated his career to installing smoke alarms.
00:30From the 1st of January next year, all homes must be fitted with interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom
00:37and hallway.
00:38But the industry has grave concerns the public isn't prepared.
00:43There's around about 1.2 million properties still needing to be upgraded.
00:48Of course there's no way of really telling the true statistics.
00:51A coronial inquiry recommended the change after 11 people were killed in a 2011 house fire in Slacks Creek, south
00:59of Brisbane.
00:59The Queensland Fire Department says people are aware of their obligations.
01:04We're very confident that people will be very familiar with the requirements.
01:08And once they understand the safety benefits to be achieved, they'll be willingly wanting to install those smoke alarms.
01:15The average cost to professionally fit out a four bedroom home with smoke alarms is about $800.
01:21In the current cost of living crisis, there's concerns people will go without.
01:26It comes as the Insurance Council of Australia warns policyholders a lack of compliance with the new laws may impact
01:34claims.
01:35It is not something that you can delay.
01:37It is happening in 2027.
01:39It is just best to get on board now.
01:40It's a message Brandon Lewis hopes all homeowners will act on.
01:44When talking about the
01:47.
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