We recently received this email from a reader and have been thinking about it pretty much ever since. So we thought we’d share it in the hope that Melanie’s story will help others out there who may have gone through the same experience and people like us who probably don’t know a thing about being prepared for something of this magnitude. Here’s a photo that Melanie sent to us.
Here’s her letter:
I’ve been stalking following your blog for just over a year thanks to making an offer on a short sale home in September of 2009. It was our dream and forever home. We spent the first two months washing, priming, and painting every single wall and ceiling. We replaced every hinge, door knob, light fixture, window treatment, and put in beautiful hardwood floors on both main levels and the stairs. You name it, we most likely did it.
Sadly, on Thursday January 6th, just before 6am I woke to the sound of two second story windows shattering followed by bright lights. I peeked into our guest bedroom and flames had just begun to enter, the smoke detectors went off seconds later. My husband, our 2.5 year old son, and I escaped safely with just the clothes on our backs. We had no shoes, socks, coats, or hats in subfreezing temps. Just each other and the love of our neighbors, friends, and families. It was quickly determined to be accidental, but we lost it all including my car. Our 2.5 story 2,000+ square foot home, plus in-law suite burned to the ground very quickly (one estimate was 30-60 minutes). Within hours we also learned of the love from acquaintances and strangers in our community and beyond.
We are very lucky to have each other and our lives- but our home, and all of the hard work and DIY projects we had done were gone so very quickly. We’ve already spent five hours documenting the structure of the house, and now begins the grueling task of itemizing each and every personal belonging. We’ve learned some of the “what would we do differently” as a result of this fire, that I’m hoping you consider for yourselves and might share with your readers:
- Subscribe to an online data backup service (my external back up drive sat right next to my laptop in my office)
- Keep passports in a safe deposit box
- Take pictures of each room initially and update them as improvements are made (storing them somewhere offsite – like Flickr)
- Take pictures and keep hyperlinks of all expensive purchases, including jewelry
- Hire an architect (my dad in our case) or use floorplanner.com to document each floor layout along with precise wall/ceiling measurements, each outlet, light switch, crown molding, other trim, type of flooring, any unique items to structure of property
- Put phones in a consistent place each night
- Get fire ladders for any second floor bedrooms
- Scan each photo and receipt, again keeping them offsite, or on an online data backup service
- Do not be frugal with homeowner’s insurance. Spend the extra $50 per year for the most coverage
Thank you for reading this and passing it along to your readers. -Melanie
Below is actual video of Melanie’s house. We can’t even imagine what she has been through:
We also got an email from a reader named Robin a while back. Her house nearly burned down at 2am on a Saturday morning. She and her family were thankfully able to get out safely and their home should be livable again in about three months. She also shared what she learned, so that we (and all of you) might be able to learn from her experience:
- Toasters aren’t the only appliances that burn. The source of Robin’s fire surprised us: her dishwasher. Her family was in the habit of starting the dishwasher as they headed off to bed – something John and I used to do as well – and it malfunctioned and sparked the fire. She sent us this photo to drive home the point. Along with reminding us to avoid running appliances overnight or when we’re out, Robin taught us that sending in the warranty card on all electronics is a must, since it’s the best way to ensure that you’ll get notified if there’s a defect or a recall.
- Robin also taught us that if your home has hard-wired detectors, be sure to have battery-powered ones as well. That way you have a back-up alarm in case of a power outage (which often happens during a fire). And remember to check the batteries twice a year. People often suggest doing it when you change the clock for daylight savings in the spring and fall as an easy way to remember. If you have children, consider installing a Talking Smoke Alarm in their room. Robin learned that studies show that kids under 17 often don’t respond to a traditional alarm, but they do respond to their parents’ voices. So these talking versions allow you to record a message that could even include instructions or comforting words.
- Robin learned first hand that despite living in her house for over two decades, the panic of a fire makes it easy to lose your bearings and become disoriented – especially if you’ve got smoke to deal with. Which is why she recommends figuring out at least two ways you can get yourself and others out of your house (in case one is blocked) and, if you have a second or third level, make sure at least one doesn’t rely on a stairwell (fire and smoke love traveling up stairs). Then practice your plan until it’s second nature.
Robin’s tip about the talking smoke alarm actually reminded us of a something my sister Emily learned while teaching fire safety to her kids. Emily decided to have a fire drill at home, and after talking through the route, reminding them to stay low, and pointing out that it might be hot and filled with smoke the kids were given the “Ready, set, go-go-go!” Olivia, who was about seven at the time, froze in place and started crying because the scenario was so scary. It was a huge wake up call to all of us because if this was her reaction during a drill, just imagine what she’d do if the house really were dark, hot, and smoky. As scared as Olivia was, Emily was grateful that she had a chance to talk her through it, put in some practice time, and improve her reaction response.
Thanks so much for Melanie and Robin for sharing their stories and their tips with us. We can’t even begin to imagine what it would feel like to be in their shoes, but we’re so glad to hear that their families were unharmed and that everyone from their friends to their community has shown them some serious love and support. And speaking of love, we’re sending out lots of it- along with a huge thanks to both ladies for thoughtfully taking the time to share such an important message.
lorchick @ ON{thelaundry}LINE says
another appliance to be careful with is your dryer! Years ago when my husband and I had just gotten married, I finished up a load of laundry and left the house for work. I came back after work to a houseful of smoke! The dryer had turned off but there had been a malfunction and the element inside it did not. By some miracle the house did not burn to the ground – we did not have renters insurance at the time and would have been left with nothing – but the hard plastic buttons on the dryer had melted and our house was full of toxic smoke. It was very scary!
Lisa says
I was planning on purchasing fire ladders for our house but had been slow to get around to it. This post pushed me over the edge and today I ordered 3. One for the master bedroom and one for each of my sons’ rooms. We have a two story with a walkout basement so it is 3 stories up in the back and would be impossible to escape from that height. Thanks for this important information!
DENISE says
These two stories scared me. And I think that is my dishwasher. If it is a Bosch, that is what I have. I will have to check it out when I get home. If hers is a Bosch, please pass along that some models were recalled. The info is available on their site.
Denise
Extreme Personal Measures
Adrianne says
My heart goes out to Melanie and Robin. Thank you for sharing your stories with us all. And thank you Youngsters for devoting an entire post to this very important matter. If the above information and tips can save just one person or family from the heartache of a fire or the potential harm or loss of life…it was well worth it!
Lorien says
For me, this is also a very good reason for wanting to sleep close to my baby. There was a tragic fire in our town a few weeks ago where a mum couldn’t get to her two toddlers in a crib (where a lamp had ignited crib bedding)and they suffered very serious injuries. If they had all been sleeping in the same room, those babies would have had a parent right there to help them escape unharmed. The fact that she ignored their cries until she smelled smoke due to her ongoing efforts in ‘sleep training’ is another tragedy altogether :-(
brenda says
living in the Boston area (Gloucester)i saw this on Fox25… it’s horrifying to say the least..thanks for sending the tips, Melanie..
now to not put it off and just do it!
Sara says
I don’t know if you have seen the blog Life in Grace, but her home burned down around Christmas. So very sad:http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/2010/12/the-god-who-promises.html
It is good to see tips like these on how to be prepared in case something like this happens. What a great idea for a post. Thank you for writing this and to those who shared their stories.
Briel K. says
Thank you for posting this. It’s a real eye opener to a lot of us about how unprepared we’d be if there was a fire in our homes or apartments. I need to go out and buy a fire extinguisher, fire ladder and check my smoke alarms (among other things). My heart goes out to Melanie and Robin’s families!
Jennifer says
I love this post.
When we were kids (5 of us, under the age of 9), we had practice fire drills. My dad would actually set off the alarm and we’d practice getting out of the house, including feeling doorknobs to see if there was fire outside the door, how to open the windows, to crawl if there was lots of smoke, and meeting at the tree in my neighbor’s front yard. It was scary, but we knew what to do!
Claire says
The dishwasher in my childhood home caught on fire, too. Thankfully my mother was sitting in the living room (open floor plan, really the same room), smelled it, and was able to kill the power to the unit and stop the fire from damaging more than the dishwasher itself. Totally frightening!
Thanks for sharing these tips. We need to inventory our belongings, for sure. Oh, and get renters’ insurance.
Melanie and Robin- So sorry that you went through this. My hear goes out to you.
Holly says
I love reading your blog and this is just one reason. Thank you for sharing this story and the tips. Always a good reminder.
Caralyn says
I was just reading about house fires today and ways to prepare oneself for emergencies. One tip that I read about was to keep all family photos (and other digital info) on a flash drive and keep that either off site (in a deposit box) or in a water-proof and fire-proof container/safe either in the house or in the garage.
We just bought our first house and moved in four months ago. The first thing we had done was get good insurance, install new electrical (very pricey but worth it!) and install new smoke/carbon monoxide alarms on all three floors (two floors plus basement). Getting fire ladders for the top floor is a great idea! We still need to get a fire safe and backpacks with emergency supplies by the front door (or the garage). This post is a great reminder to get on that!
The English Organizer says
Thank you… very powerful reminders.
Janna says
Some of those tips are great, and work for other disasters as well. Here in Australia people in Queensland and Victoria have just faced the worst natural disaster in our history. After weeks of steady rain the rivers flooded, flooding entire towns, even the city of Brisbane. There was even what has been described as an inland Tsunami, created but the sudden rush of water, which came with little to no warning. Water levls were so high all you could see were the very tops of peoples houses, with water completely covering the house. Families left clinging to their roofs.
We are left with a clean up bill that is expected to go into the billions, with entire homes literally washed away.
One of the biggest reminders for us is to also CHECK YOUR INSURANCE and make sure you are well covered. People are discovering that their insurance did not cover flood, or did not cover the type of flood that occured.
Read your insurance very carefully and ensure you are well covered. Many Australians are facing a second heartbreak of not ony losing their hme, but also discovering they were not properly insured!
Carmen says
My heart goes out to Melanie and Robin and their families. How horrific. When I was in high school, our house got hit by lightning. Thankfully, we all escaped unharmed. The house didn’t burn to the ground but had to be gutted due to smoke and fire damage. My dad had redone everything too just like Melanie and her husband. I didn’t understand it really then but I do now. How devastating! Thanks for sharing this, it’s a wonderful reminder.
Liz says
Both of these stories are so scary! They literally gave me goosebumps. I ALWAYS run the dishwasher at night, not anymore. I live in an apartment (2nd floor), I think my only way out from the bedroom would be out the window :S
Erin says
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been following your blog for quite a while and this is the first time I have ever commented (quite the lurker, me). Like you, my husband and I run our Internet-based business out of our home, and yet we had no offsite data backup in place! *smacks forehead* Well, I signed us up for an offsite backup service today, AND I ordered two fire escape ladders for our girls’ rooms. Checking the batteries in our smoke detectors and doing a home inventory is going on the list as well. Keep up the good work, you two! (Or four, counting Clara and Burger!)
Jessica F. says
Fantastic post!! Thank you so much.
My takeaways from this post:
I need a folder up ladder in my bedroom because I live on the second floor and if there was a fire in my living room when I was in my bedroom, I’d have to jump out my window.
I also learned to no longer run my dishwasher when I go to bed.
Josh Hershfield says
Hello, and thank you for this website – very well done.
I lost my home in June 2009, spent a week in the hospital, my wife and pets got out fine. It’s a long story as the others are but our biggest lesson was hiring a public adjuster to work between us and our insurance company – I have many stories of how he saved us from their and their subcontractors blatant corruption and fraud in trying to minimize our coverage reimbursement and devalue our property and contents – he easily increased our home and content reimbursement by well over $100K. If you believe your insurance adjuster when they tell you they will take care of you, they aren’t kidding, they’ll take care of you all right, straight into financial ruin. They only care about the bonuses they receive for minimizing your reimbursement. Their subcontractors are just there to rip you off in collusion with the insurance company. Our PA hired contractors whose every penny of billing was monitored and justified. I could go on forever, am going to write a book someday. Feel free to email me with any questions.
thx.
Josh
WendyM says
Oh, how scary! Glad Melanie and her family got out okay!
What a wakeup call. Great suggestions! I’ve never used appliances when I’m away from home because I’ve heard horror stories, but I’m definitely going to have to implement all of those suggestions and share them with my friends.
I would also suggest Container Store’s flashlight nightlight. In the event of a power outage you will have a flashlight that you can use to maneuver your surroundings. Not necessarily helpful in a fire, but in a dark smoky area I would think it would serve people well.
audrey says
Thank you for sharing melanie and robins story.
This summer I also experienced a fire in my apartment building but nothing like what melanie and robin experienced. My apartment has about 100 units and its basically 4 buildings connected together with an underground parking. The fire was on the other side of the building and I did not suspect a thing. The alarm did not go off on my side and I did not smell anything. My husband gives me a call 30 mins into it and asks if im still inside; thinking he is joking im like why would i be outside and he says cause the building is on fire. At that moment i couldnt really move and I felt like i just wanted to sleep. But my husband ran upstairs and came and got me and thats when the fire alarm finally went off. My lips were blue and i felt like i was going to pass out. If it wasnt for him I probably would have fallen asleep.
Im mad that the alarm didnt even go off on my side and also made me realize we needed to get a carbon monoxide detector.
When it comes to things like that you really dont know how you will respond until it happens. Im just really glad my
husband came home earlier than he usually did for lunch
that day.
Shannon says
This post brought tears to my eyes. My heart goes out to those families. Fire is a great fear of mine, and I do believe after today we will be taking more precautions. I have 3 babies and being a very sentimental person I have just about everything from when they were born and as they grew, etc…that would just break my heart if I lost them. Not to mention our lives!! I hope Melanie and her family get everything they need, as well as all the other families in similar situations. :(
JenWoodhouse.com says
Thank you for sharing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Melanie’s family. I’ve heard of dryers starting fires, but a dishwasher? Wow. Good to know. We usually start ours as we’re going to bed. Not anymore!
Also, an interesting tidbit: Clara (and Evie) was born in the year of the Tiger. And according to the Chinese zodiac, it is a sign of bravery. This courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts.
Danielle says
Thanks you for the great information! My heart goes out to those poor families!
Another good reason to keep a phone close to the bed is in case of a break-in. A friend (of a friend)had a college student drunkenly break in to her home, thinking it was his own. She was petrified that he would come into her bedroom and ended up jumping from the 2nd story window!
Thankfully she recovered from the fall, but the trauma’s another story. Remember to keep a cell phone nearby, too, in case the house phone lines are cut.
Becky S. says
Thank you so much for sharing this post!! My thoughts and prayers go out to Melanie and Robin. I actually live in the next town over from Melanie and I saw her house…it was awful!!
Meggan C says
Fires at a family home can be so devastating. My parents house burned down when i lived at home with them in college. We learned that most of the stuff….well, it was stuff. You still had the memories and hopefully everyone got out without harm. The leg work of documentation is grueling! My parents just thought of another item they left off the list this christmas and our fire was in 2000. The tips above are AWESOME! Thank goodness for the technology we have today where we can save files online and have access to them later – what a lifesaver! One thing my parents learned is that you never know how much stuff you have until you have to itemize it and price it. Having more insurance is always way better than just enough. because most likely you’ll need it!
KathyL says
One thing my husband and I always taught our kids: the safe place to go. Our neighbor’s front porch that overlooked our home was the spot to GO TO if anything ever happened like that. They were to go there immediatly and then we would know where they were and that they were safe. So lucky we never had to use it. Thanks for this important post!
Ebba says
Thank you for posting this, it’s giving me the kick in the pants I need to get some prevention things done around our house.
I wanted to share some important information on smoke alarms not mentioned in your post. The Fire Chief in our city recently did a big campaign to get residents to switch from ionization smoke alarms to photoelectric smoke alarms. In fact photoelectric alarms are now required in our city when you put a house on the market. Ionization smoke alarms react poorly to deadly smoke but faster to flames while photoelectric alarms react much faster when it comes to detecting smoke. In a letter the city recently distributed the Fire Chief states that most deadly fires are smoldering fires and not fast flaming fires, and that the deadly smoke and heat can kill you before the flames even reach you. Ionization smoke alarms are also the ones that are prone to false alarms in kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms from things like burnt toast, steam and fireplaces. Because of this many people either turn them off or remove them. So in those areas at our house we are installing photoelectric alarms, and installing both photoelectric and ionization alarms in the bedrooms and hallways outside the bedrooms.
Here’s a link to his letter: http://www.albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=359
and an article on it: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/15/MN1O1ETTCS.DTL
Becky says
This is one of my biggest fears. I have been working on the backup data on my computer and have just begun to realize what I would be losing if I lost everything on my computer. (silly compared to a fire) I share walls with my neighbors and it honestly scares me because I can’t control them and when they run their appliances etc. which only means I need to do what I need to and prepare ourselves if an event like this happened.
Thank you for the steps to get us on the right track. I am so sorry for Melanie and Robin and my thoughts go out to you. I thank you for taking the time to help prepare us.
Becky says
Is there anything we can do to help Melanie and Robin? A fund where they are collecting donations?
YoungHouseLove says
Robin is further along in the process (now back in her house after it has been extensively repaired) and Melanie’s isn’t actively seeking any handouts or donations, but her family has set up a fund for those who would like to help in some way. Here’s that info for ya:
South Shore Savings Bank
The Arsenault Family Fund
650 Middle Street
Weymouth, MA 02189
Paula/adhocmom says
That SUCKS. I’m so sorry for them, and am amazed that they are so together that they put together that super thoughtful email. How awesome is that! My thoughts are with them. . and I’m so glad they are all okay.
Vanessa says
We recently had a very big kitchen fire and it is scary how quickly it spreads. Before this happened, I thought we’d have time to collect some belongings, etc. if our house ever caught on fire, but you don’t. I had time to get my kids outside and make sure they were safe. Luckily we had a fire extinguisher handy and were able to put it out before it did too much damage, but if we didn’t I’m sure our house would have burned down. We only had to replace the microwave, kitchen floor and one cupboard. I will never ever ever try to deep fat fry something again.
These tips are great and we’ll put them to use!
Harriet May says
My parents’ dishwasher caught fire, too, late one evening. Luckily it was just before we all went to bed so it caused minimal damage. It was still very scary. Now I never start the dishwasher or the dryer before I go out: my biggest fear is leaving my dog at home alone and her burning to death. I love my clothes and my things but she is my baby.
Lizzy says
For some reason, the part that really hit home wasn’t the scary pictures, it was the talking smoke alarm that warned Clara to “get out of bed and stay low”. I have tears in my eyes thinking about kids having to be brave like that.
Thank goodness no one was hurt.
To all Claras everywhere, stay safe and be brave.
Candice and Alyssa says
This makes me want to cry. I cannot even imagine. How sad :(
Erin says
My heart goes out to these families. A house fire has to be one of the most devastating things to occur. Thank God they’re all safe.
This post, for me, reminds me that while we certainly need a home, and it’s absolutely fun to fill it and “make it our own”, the things we fill it with are just things that must be held lightly: they are not ours forever. At the end of this whole life thing, the curtains and paint we chose won’t matter at all, nor will the time we poured into choosing fabric and just the right couch. It’s really difficult, I think, to enjoy these material things without forgetting that they should be neither cherished nor worshiped in the sense that they become a priority. The stories you shared are another reminder to me of just how important it is that I “do not store up treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Thanks for giving me another opportunity to make sure my priorities are straight. :)
Jen H. says
Our almost-new dishwasher in our previous house caught fire during the drying cycle. Thank goodness it happened in the middle of the afternoon and we were home. I hate to think if it had been at night (with our infant son’s room directly above the kitchen) or while we were out.
Thanks for posting this and giving everyone a wake-up call about fire safety. So sorry to hear about the devastating losses, but thankful nobody was hurt.
reny says
on the dishwasher: yes, i have to agree. i also used to run my dishwasher before i go to bed but a few days ago i forgot, so i run them in the afternoon. just when it got to rinse cycle, a spark came out of the bottom of the door, and with it came a smoke, something was burnt. i immediately turned it off and when i opened it, the smell was very obvious. something WAS burnt but i still can’t figure out which part.
let’s just say from now on i’ll be washing all of my dishes by hand.
tara says
Great advice. We lost our 4 year old house in 2008 to a fire. We had done all of the prevention stuff, but when I awoke to the house siding crackling, outside the house…I woke my husband and we got our 2 young children out of the house asap. Our house burnt down completely, along with our neighbors house. It was a HORRIBLE year dealing with insurance and dealing with the loss of out house. We just moved into our beautiful new house, 16 months later and we LOOOOVE it. But we learnt a hard lesson from our fire. We had a newer house, 4 years old and it was hard-wired battery alarms…therefore our fire (which was electrical-the power meter outside the house) we didn’t wake up to alarms ever. We now added in battery operated ones as well. We had our house sprayed with “No Burn” which delays the burning process.
The BEST thing we did; blog. So, we had years worth of house photos on our blog which helped jog our memory of stuff we had…and proof that we had it.
Love your blog!!!!
Amanda T says
Thank you so much for posting this! My parents house exploded in the middle of the night 2 years ago and they sustained severe burns and spinal injuries when they jumped from the second floor (they’re recovered almost fully now though.) Please, please, please make sure you have a gas sensor and have your gas lines properly inspected. The gas explosion leveled my parents house in less than 20 minutes.
I was living across the country at the time and immediately started researching what I could do to help them when I flew out the next day. There was absolutely nothing useful published about where to start, who to call, what to buy and it was so frustrating to feel helpless and not have guidance. I hope homeowners find this post and take this advice seriously. We all feel like it could never happen to us, but sh*t happens.
To add to Melanie’s list:
~ Pack a small duffel bag under your bed with change of clothes for everyone, toothbrushes, extra sets of car keys (especially if the car is parked outside), shoes, and anything else that would be useful if you had to run out quickly (for any reason!)
~ Email yourself a list of contact numbers for your credit cards, bank, insurance agencies, etc. so you can access them quickly to get replacements in progress. Back up as much information as safely possible online or have copies in a safe deposit box.
~ If this happens to a friend, family member, or neighbor the best thing you can do is create a care calendar with other people. Once the victims are in a temporary home (likely with rental furniture), they wont have cooking supplies, games, movies etc. If someone comes over every 2 days or so with a home-cooked meal, board game or toys for kids, and a movie it will help distract them from their own thoughts and take some of the burden of everyday life off their shoulders. Gather up household items, clothing, etc. that you think they might need as well, starting over completely is exhausting. Many people assume after a disaster that the victims want time to regroup and be alone but in most cases, company is an extremely welcomed distraction from reality.
~If you have any photographs of the victims themselves or the insides of their house please make copies and bring them over. If for some reason they had not previously inventoried their house (as suggested by Melanie) it is very, very difficult to remember everything in every corner, shelf, drawer, etc. Photos will be incredibly helpful for inventory lists. They also may be replacements for lost photos.
~If they have pets, bring food, snacks and toys if possible. Pets don’t always adjust well to change and this is traumatic to them too. A thoughtful rawhide bone or catnip toy will make them happy.
~If you don’t live nearby, call them once in a while. You have no idea how much free time there is when there’s no yard to tend, shelves to dust, dinner to cook, or projects to finish.
Thank you again for this post. I love your blog (especially adorable Clara and the random Burger blobs in the bed LOL) Take care!
~Amanda from Atlanta
Heidi says
Thanks for taking the time to share these two real-life stories. It is so sad to know this happened to these families- thank God that they are all okay. Material things can always be replaced but it is such a tragic event in their lives.
Unfortunately, I fall for the false belief that this could never happen to me. Thank you for opening my eyes to the realities. This post will change things in my life.
MrsPreppy says
Do you know the brand of this dishwasher? It looks almost exactly just like the one in our house.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey MrsPreppy,
It was a Bosch (some have been recalled but Robin’s was not one of the ones on the recall list).
xo,
s
Rachel P. says
I want to really emphasize the importance of running through a home fire drill with your kids. It may seem corny to some, but such as was the case with Olivia it is really important. At school, they do the fire drill and know exactly what to expect and do. If we don’t do it at home, children will be completely lost and confused. Also, I’ve been told by several firefighters that a young child (under twelve) should be told to turn on the light in their bedroom and stay there on the floor with the door closed. I would love to have other’s opinions on this, but the idea is that the light lets the firefighters know there is someone in the room and the door prevents the child from running out into worse trouble while acting as a temporary barrier to the fire. I wasn’t too sure about this but I’ve taught my kids several different ways to respond depending on the situation.
Shauna says
A vital post, and I appreciate your sharing. I agree with Brandt–for me it’s an opportunity to reassess my priorities. The lives of loved ones comes before everything else. My compassion and support for Melanie and Robin, and admiration for their courage and willingness to transmit the common sense prevention lists.
Mary Baker says
This post was a frightening reminder of what can and does happen all the time, and especially this time of year. December 18 marked the 8th (wow) anniversary of my house fire. I remember it so vividly. My son was 2 and had just gone down for his nap. I was stringing lights on the tree when suddenly I smelled something. I walked halfway down the basement stairs when I noticed insulation on the floor (red flag enough for me to just instinctively LEAVE). I grabbed my son and tried to usher my pets and we went out and called 911. I lost two cats as my son and I watched our home burn to the ground. All I remember is my best friend coming and taking my son away from the ordeal as firefighters and neighbors begged me to put on socks, trying to convince me I was in shock and cold, since I was standing barefoot in snowy conditions for over an hour. All I did was argue with them. Save my animals, open the doors, I’m NOT cold……….and yet they knew exactly how to handle me in my state, and did. I learned a whole lot about community in the coming weeks, and the graciousness of strangers. I wore clothes that were donated but didn’t fit for weeks, even when being interviewed for the news. I was so grateful for those clothes, and the love that was shown to my son and I via donations, cards, shoes, clothes, a new Christmas tree, replacement gifts for my son, discounted rent in our temp home, etc etc. Maybe it tugged at everyone because it happened the week before Christmas, I don’t know. But it was BIG. And though I wish nobody would ever ever have to deal with something as traumatic as that again, sadly, they will, because it just happens like *that*. Thanks for the tips — even I, having been through it (and displaced for 8 months, overseeing every aspect of the house re-build, down to the switch plates– and of course the insanity that is insurance claims) am not fully prepared for another event like that. Everyone needs reminders. I sometimes think I’m immune since I’ve been there, done that, but it doesn’t really work that way.
Lindsay says
I read this post yesterday. At 3:30 this morning we awoke to a two story blaze outside our house. Our chimney was apparently flawed and the heat from our fire – not the actual fire mind you, but the heat from the extinguished fire- escaped and caught our shed on fire. The shed housed gasoline so that ignited and jumped to a tree, our firewood and then our neighbor’s house. We got out and the damage sustained is manageable, but those were the scariest moments of my life. I thought we were going to lose everything. We have been without power for 3 days now due to the winter storm and Pepco’s incompetence – hence the importance of a fire – and everything in our house is in disarray. I was lucky to know where my cell was and to be able to find it in the dark. Our house phones were down. I find it eerie that I read your post and Then this happened. We were completely unprepared.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s so scary Lindsay. So glad you guys were ok and the damage is manageable.
xo,
s
Connie says
One or two smoke detectors IS NOT ENOUGH.
My husband has been a fire fighter for over 30 years. We have a smoke/fire detector in EVERY room, in the unfinished garage, attic and crawlspace. Why? Because a fire can start anywhere and if you only have one smoke detector (or even two), by the time the smoke and heat are enough to set off the alarm in the hallway, it’s too late.
Every bedroom needs its own alarm and when decorating, especially kids room, resist the urge to drape fabric above and around the bed (and don’t get me started on the chemical ills of flame-resistant material – substituting one safety issue for another). The scariest thing for me is to see bed tents on kid’s beds.
Perhaps being married to a fire fighter has made us overly cautious. But every time he responds to a house fire and he finds no working detectors, or detectors poorly placed, it cements the need for multiple detectors.
Ok,lecture over :)
Connie says
Oh, and I almost forgot :) We have good old fashioned landline and hardwired phones. Why? Because in an emergency they’re easy to find and never lost in the couch cushions.
Kat says
Thank you for sharing this story, Sherry and John. My prayer is that these two families are blessed for thinking of others’ safety at a time when I would be most selfish.
My husband and I are about to purchase our very first home! Yet until this moment, I haven’t even begun to think of our emergency plans. I will definitely be forwarding this to him today while he’s at work; we have some talking smoke alarms to buy!
Madelaine says
Having our house burn down is one of my greatest fears and will often have me cutting errands short to get home to see that everything is safe. One of my projects this year is to do a photo inventory of our house and to store it offsite somewhere. I can’t imagine having to deal with something as awful. And I shouldn’t have read the one post about cats hiding in closets. We have four furbabies and they truly are our children and I can’t imagine losing them in such a way.
Thanks for sharing Melaine’s story and tips.