Before I ever did my first inspection back in October 2001, my attorneys, insurance providers, and I developed my inspection protocols to ensure that I was persistently consistent in how I went about inspecting a property so that I never missed anything, even if I got interrupted by something or someone.
Two protocols have served me well many, many times:
Always look under the sink to make sure there's a drainage pipe before turning on the sink faucet.
Always open the oven and broiler drawer to check for contents before turning on the oven.
At an inspection just a couple of days ago, #2 came in real handy:
Looks innocent enough, right? Just some paper there on the broiler tray. Take a closer look, though:
Yep. You're reading correctly. A full, unopened package of 48 Ninja firecrackers.
Now this was a foreclosure in an expensive area of town. One does wonder if they were left in that specific location on purpose, especially considering that firecrackers are illegal in the state of California.
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Russel~ the forelcosure properties are a real trip! I have seen lots of weird and even discusting properties, but never one with explosives! I am glad you developed the protocol which also resulted in keeping you safe!
WOW! That's unbelievable. I could understand the homeowners being upset by their own lack of paying their mortgage, but to potentially bring harm to someone else? There is no way that was an accident.
Hi Russel - I would hope they were not left there on purpose, but it does seem quite odd that a random pack of firecrackers ended up in that location. I have seen many foreclosure properties which were torn up but never one with dangerous material left behind. Good thing you've got good protocols in place!
Russel certainly does seem intentional. Good for you. I had a similar incident many years ago in a kitchen of a restaurant. I was booby trapped by a disgruntled employee. They put a Bic lighter stick under the grill. So not even a half hour in to lunch it exploded. Luckily I was not hurt but the blowback bruised my thighs as it felt like someone hit me across them with a pipe.
Wow - that's weird. I always live by rule #2 as well - sometimes I store things in the oven just because I can. ( I don't use it that often obviously - not in the summer anyway)
Yikes! Never did the adage "better safe than sorry" ring more true. I'm sure glad you were cautious enough to check before lighting that oven! That's a good lesson for Realtors checking out a vacant listing as well.
Russel, glad you found the firecrackers and not some kid. I learned lesson #2 the hard way, not at a foreclosure, but in an occupied house in the laundry room - they should have left a note!
Did it make you wonder at what temp those things would go off? Of course, the broiler pan is so close to elements (if electric) that radiated heat might set them off right away.
Found a squirrel in the oven of a vacant house once, but it had long past whether it cared if the oven was on or not. Matter of fact I don't believe it passed away in there.
Yikes, nice catch. That reminds me that many years ago I went intot he basement of a VA foreclosure only to see a hand grenade on a string across the basment beams. Scary stuff
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Russel - holy cracker! That's scary actually. Makes you wonder doesn't it. ~Rita