CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK…
(spoiler alert: post contains quotes from, and references to, the award-winning television show ‘This is Us’)
In a previous post, I wrote about a neighbour’s house burning to the ground in the early hours of the morning. Our dogs sleep with us, and we were alerted by Reese before the fire engines even arrived. Thankfully, the woman and her two daschunds escaped the fire. The dogs took flight, and as our neighbour was rushed to the hospital, the dogs were rounded up by animal control and spent the night at the animal shelter. In this story, everyone was safe.
© Maimento /Adobe Stock
Sadly, that is not the case for so many families – most recently, the Pearson family. I know it is a television show, but still, my heart broke, and the tears flowed. Okay, it was a snotty, ugly cry! Hearing Louis barking inside the burning inferno, and watching the faces of his people was too much for me. And later, in the hospital when he says to the Doctor
I really love the girl that loves the dog
Seriously, who could hold it together?!
The questions going through my mind: why wasn’t Louis in Kate’s room? Why didn’t he bark sooner? Why didn’t Jack just grab the dog and get the heck out of there instead of going on a treasure hunt?
You can’t rewrite an ending in real-life!
We can overcome the loss of material things even though they may be sentimental and perhaps irreplaceable. Firefighters will, of course, advise us not to enter a burning building to rescue a pet. I will do everything in my power to avoid my pets, and myself, of course, being in that situation in the first place. My family (including furries) is what matters most to me.
What if my husband and I weren’t home and a fire started? Thankfully, I do have a sticker for the window in our front door which indicates, for rescuers, that three dogs and a cat live here. As soon as I meet our new neighbours, I will introduce them to the pack, and permit them to smash whatever they need to in order to free my companions from the house, should they see smoke coming from our house and suspect fire.
I am paranoid about leaving appliances on, and keep most things unplugged unless in use. Also, it may seem obsessive compulsive, however, when I use anything with heat; hair straightener, oven, iron, I will unplug or turn off the appliance. I make sure it’s secure, and after double-checking the electric socket or stove top, I visualize the plug out of the socket and say out loud to myself
unplugged and safe
By safe, I mean the appliance is not accessible to my pets, and they can’t knock it over.
I also rarely use candles – too easy to forget about or knock over (especially with animals running around).
There is nothing worse than that feeling of uncertainty. The feeling that turns your stomach upside down.
© Paul Fleet / Adobe Stock
Smoke Alarms
-you can never have too many smoke alarms. Install alarms on each level of the home and in every sleeping room as well as outside sleeping areas. Larger homes require more alarms.
-interconnect alarms. When one goes off, they should all sound.
-ensure alarms are properly installed and maintained. Change your batteries regularly. Pick a day that stands out so you won’t forget. For example, New Year’s Day.
-test alarms monthly.
-alarms should be replaced every ten years (mark the year on your calendar each December 31st).
© diego cervo / Adobe Stock
Main Causes of Fire
Candles: Particularly on New Year’s Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve.
Cooking: Items too close to heat source, oils in pan and fryers.
Electrical: faulty wiring, and circuit disruption.
Heating: more likely during winter months (December – March).
Smoking: need I elaborate?
Children: playing with matches, lighters, etc.
Please click and review the following resources:
This list of FIRE PREVENTION FACT SHEETS from Fire Prevention Canada provides information about using candles, tips for babysitters, types of burns and tips for prevention, escape plans and so much more!
National Fire Protection Association
This is the little girl that made my life somersault, and I will do everything in my power to keep her and her brothers safe.
My baby girl
I need to know my family will be safe.
A house fire is one of the scariest things. I always worry a little about this when we go out and Ted is home alone. A firefighter friend said the #1 cause of house fires is the clothes dryer. Never leave it on when not home and keep the lint filter clean. By us, woodstoves are another cause.
I know how you feel. I also keep most devices unplugged unless I use them. For example a phone charger, I feel more relaxed when it is unplugged even though probably nothing can happen if it’s plugged in.
A house fire is something no one wants to think about, but we do need to, especially when we have dogs. I don’t have a sticker on our door, its something I keep meaning to do, especially as one of ours is so nervous. We have recently changed our fire alarms as they were out of date. I too go round and turn of sockets!
I had never seen even one episode of that show before but decided to tune in on that very night. The moment I realized there was a dog in the house I turned the show off! I could not even watch not knowing if the dog would be safe. This is SUCH an important article. We must be very aware and always have good smoke alarms!
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I think out of all disasters this is my biggest fear and I always make sure everything is off before I leave the house. I have the stickers everywhere also plus my neighbor has keys to my place just in case (she does not have a pet but adores Layla).
Thanks for this great post and reminder how careful we have to be
There’s apps(?) or some kind of smart home system that will alert you if your smoke alarm goes off. I’m thinking about one of those.
The worst disasters are natural made ones, earthquakes, floods and fires. I can think of few things worse than a fire.
We have a fire sticker in the window and have been known to return home to check stuff is turned off! We don’t think about earthquakes or we would totally freak out all the time.
Great safety tips and so important. I was relieved to read your neighbor and dogs were safe in the end too. Such an important post to not only take proper safety precautions but also cherish every minute with our loved ones.
SO scary! We’re about to have our dryer vent cleaned too. That’s a huge fire hazard if you let all the lint build up. There’s a reason they tell boy scouts to bring dryer lint to make fire starters! I read this and the first thing I thought was “I need to get a doggy door” At least that way they could get out. Maybe not super far away, but I think dogs would be smart enough to get out of the house at least?? Great reminder about smoke detectors too, it’s such an easy way to be safe. We have a nest thermostat and smoke detector. If the smoke detector goes off, it send a notification to your phone as well, so you know something is burning even if you are at work or away from home.
That is one of the reasons why I hate having to leave my dog(s) home alone for extended periods of time. One can never be careful enough.
I’m so glad that your neighbor and her dogs are okay! I am going to have to try your technique of visualizing the empty socket. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go back into the house (even if I’m on my way to somewhere else) to make sure I didn’t leave the iron on. While I love my house, the reason I always go back is for my pets.
This winter it seems like there is a home or apartment fire every day. And the first thing I think of, were there pets? I hate to hear that the dog died etc. but one large apartment fire a fireman carried a cat to where the people were staying after saving it. I think we see more fireman saving pets here than not. I sincerely hope it’s never us. Thanks for the great tips. Sandra and Dolly P.S. We will NOT watch This is Us.
The thought of a fire in our home is terrifying. We live in an apartment, so there are plenty of reasons why a fire might not be the fault of anything or anyone in our apartment. Luckily for my cats, I work from home and so I’m home most of the time. I think it is so important that you let other people know that you have pets (and your apartment complex if you live in one) so that they might be rescued if you’re not home.
This is a great post, & so timely for me. This morning’s news reported an apartment house fire, believed to have been caused by a candle. There are a lot of potential fire dangers in the home, thanks for sharing these fire safety tips!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Fires are so scary and they can happen so fast. Thanks for sharing these excellent tips and raising awareness. A whole family (including their dogs) perished up at Stoney Lake last year and 2 friends of ours have narrowly escaped electrical fires after renovations. Both houses to the ground but everyone safe including the dogs. I hate being above the 6th floor in buildings as have been caught with fires- awful. I need to check my fire extinguishers and all my alarms. Luckily I had to get all new when we moved in 2 years ago and replace batteries regularly.
Fires are very scary and your list of things to do to avoid a fire are so important. I, too, was sobbing when I heard the dog barking and Jack going back inside. I’m afraid I’d be one of those people who would rush back in to find my girls. That’s one of my worst fears because cats are known for hiding when they are afraid.
such an important post and something I don’t think we think about enough – thanks for this! Lots of things to think about and improve for me at least.
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Know better, do better. One of my favourite quotes.
That’s scary! :O
But fortunately, we have these smart products that can help prevent such circumstances.
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