A Harrowing Night That Changed Everything
It’s been a few months since the worst night of my life, and I’m finally able to sit down and put some thoughts together about my experience with a devastating house fire. I want to take some time to reflect on the fire safety practices my family had in place and share them with you.
We went to sleep like any other normal night. I tucked the kids (and family doggy) into bed and closed their doors behind me before making my way into my own bed for the night. Around 1 AM, I was awakened by our house alarm – our smoke detectors were also linked to this system. I woke my husband up and went to the main house to figure out what had set the alarm off. It was then, as I looked out the window, that I realized the entire side of the house was in flames.
I turned around to get my husband out of bed, but he was already running upstairs, carrying out our much-discussed and practiced fire evacuation plan. I don’t remember going upstairs and getting my two other children outside to safety, but I do know it happened quickly. We credit the following fire safety practices with keeping my family safe.
Interconnected Smoke Detectors: Your First Line of Defense
The first line of defense against fires is a reliable smoke alarm system. Ensure that smoke detectors are installed in key areas of your home, including bedrooms, hallways, and the kitchen. Invest in an interconnected system. When one alarm sounds, they all sound. Regularly test and replace batteries to guarantee their functionality.
Our fire started in an upstairs room, and if we had relied on the single smoke detector to wake us, we likely would have been too late. An interconnected system alerted us downstairs so we could get our children out of the house quickly. People who are hard of hearing or deaf can use a particular alarm equipped with a bed shaker/strobe light to ensure they are alerted in an emergency.
Have a Family Fire Escape Plan (and Practice It!)
My husband and I have always discussed a fire plan. We knew it was important with three small children sleeping in a two-story home. When our smoke detectors went off in the middle of the night, we jumped into action without even talking to each other about the plan. We knew who was going where and what children we were assigned to.
A closed door has been shown to slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. If you or your little one is resistant to this, remember, we parent out of truth and love, not fear. Tell your little one, “We close the door at night to keep you safe. I love you, I believe in you, and I’ll see you when the sun comes up.” Safety takes priority. This is something you should not skip.
We were able to get our children out quickly but left our family dog, Allie. We always closed her door, too, and because of this, she was safe and healthy. The firefighters attributed this to closing the door and keeping her safe from the smoke and gasses from the fire.
Keep Your Home Appliances and Heating Sources Safe
Cooking-related fires are a leading cause of home fires. Exercise caution in the kitchen by never leaving cooking unattended, keeping flammable items away from the stove, and having a lid nearby to smother potential grease fires. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot drinks or food is prepared or carried.
If you use space heaters, ensure they have a safety certification and keep them away from flammable materials. Keep fireplaces and chimneys clean and well-maintained to prevent chimney fires. While candles can create a cozy atmosphere, they pose a fire hazard if left unattended. Always extinguish candles before leaving a room, and keep them away from curtains, paper, or any other combustible materials.
Secure Your Home and Family with Cutting-Edge Technology
As a father who travels for work, the idea of an emergency at home terrifies me. After the incident with the police officer at my door, I knew I had to rethink the level of safety and security in our home. I wanted to make sure my family knew what to do in case of a fire, a power outage, or another emergency.
That’s why I turned to Lorex security cameras to keep an eye on our home when I’m away. Lorex cameras are compatible with the FLIR Secure app, which allows me to view live streams and recordings from my smartphone, no matter where I am. These cameras are built to withstand even the harshest weather conditions, with infrared night vision and motion-activated recording.
The video quality is incredible – 4K resolution that allows me to spot even the smallest details, like a license plate or a person’s face, even in low light. I know that my family and our home are protected, and that gives me peace of mind when I’m traveling for work.
Prepare for the Unexpected (and Practice, Practice, Practice)
Never underestimate the value of practice when it comes to emergency preparedness. As with so many other things in life, practicing for emergencies means preparing for them beforehand so you know what you’re doing when they actually happen.
What would you do if your child cuts themselves in the kitchen, or there’s a power outage? Even though they’re hypothetical situations, you want to feel like you’d be able to handle them without panicking. That’s why my wife and I have held regular meetings with our family to refresh our memories about our standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various emergency scenarios.
Most importantly, we’ve taught our kids basic first aid, including what to do if someone has burned themselves or has a deep wound. I’ve been able to practice these skills with them, so I’m confident they can easily execute these SOPs if the need ever arises. As Confucius said, “success depends on your preparation,” and that’s why we take emergency preparedness so seriously in our household.
Protect What Matters Most
I share our story because I want it to help someone else. I want you to truly hear our experience so you can make your home safe in the event of a fire or other emergency. Unlike a car or clothes at the mall, you can’t put a price on effective home security and the peace of mind it provides.
Whether it’s installing interconnected smoke detectors, creating a family fire escape plan, or investing in cutting-edge home security technology, the safety of your loved ones should be your top priority. Take the time to implement these measures, and practice them regularly – you never know when an emergency might strike.
Remember, the team at ABC Home is here to help you every step of the way, whether you need advice on fire safety, home security, or any other aspect of keeping your family and home safe. Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re dedicated to ensuring that your most precious assets are protected.
