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HELP...MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE!!! CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS RIGHT NOW!!!

By
Real Estate Agent

 It’s 10:00 p.m., on a hot summer’s night. Close your eyes for a moment.  Picture yourself soundly sleeping in your safe, comfortable bedroom.  Suddenly, you are awakened by the sound of deafening sirens.  They are becoming closer, and louder, and more numerous… not one, but many.  You frantically pull back the curtains, as red flashing lights, and the sounds of heavy-duty fire equipment appear outside your home…It’s your home, the one with cherished memories and irreplaceable photographs, but most of all, your family and pets.

Heart pounding, you rush outside to discover ominous dark smoke billowing from the roof, your front yard swarming with firemen equipped for immediate action.  You watch helplessly and frightened, not knowing what the outcome will be…How could this happen?

This nightmare was recently experienced by our neighbors, just three houses down the street.  Fortunately, the fire department arrived very quickly, and after vigorously cutting through the garage door, with great difficulty, they took charge to control the smoke and hot spots….our neighbors have been unexpectedly displaced, and probably will be for months to come, while the restoration process is completed. Our hearts went out to them.

As I sadly walked back home, I passed a man on the sidewalk.  He simply stated, “I’m going right home to check my smoke detectors!”  He surely planted a seed in my mind, to immediately do the same.

Make sure ALL bedrooms have a smoke detector. Fires can happen at any hour of the day or night and if the family is asleep they may not be aware that the home is on fire until it is too late.  Also ensure that there is a smoke detector in all living areas, as well as each floor of your home.

 The place most people forget is the attic. With all the electrical lines, it is a very important place to have a detector.  Check online or with your local fire department regarding the type of heat detector recommended for an unfinished attic. In addition, if you are not sure how old your smoke detectors are, it might be time to replace them.

 Having a fire in your home, or witnessing one in your neighbor’s home, is an extremely frightening experience.  Take all the precautions that you can to avoid a fire and… GO CHECK THOSE SMOKE DETECTORS… RIGHT NOW!!!

 

For more information on smoke detectors & fire safety, you can go to the FEMA website:  http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html

 

My apologies if the above photo is disturbing to anyone, but I used it in order to stress the importance of smoke detectors, correctly operating, in everyone's homes

 

KAREN FOSTER ~ Broker/Realtor ~ Cell: 541.892.0270 

Exit Rookstool Moden Realty Co., Klamath Falls, OR

 

 

 

                                                                                                         

 

                                                                       

 

                                                        

 

                                                                       

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Juniper Cooper
Silvercreek Realty Group - Boise, ID
I will provide the services you need and expect.

Hi Karen,

 

         Thank you so much for sharing this helpful tips with us! Now a days people are so busy that we forget to check even the simplest thing in our house. We even forget the most important things. And we are lucky that you post this because it will serve as a wake-up call to all of us. And thank god that no one got hurt.

 

 

Aug 20, 2012 01:19 PM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

What a great/important reminder to us all. I have a friend who recently lost her home and everything she owns in a wild fire, so that really brought this point home. She also just told a funny/horrifying story. The other day she received a bill for $196.00 from the power company for electricity for the home for July. The house burned down in June. She called to tell them that and asked how they could have an amount for a house that didn't exist. They replied that they went to the house, couldn't find the meter so just charged her the average of what she normally pays for a month. She asked if they noticed that there was no meter because there was no house!

Gretchen

Aug 20, 2012 01:41 PM
Liz Oster
Algoma, ON

Juniper - You are certainly right. We do get busy and put off the important things...and yes, they were very lucky!

Gretchen - I am so sorry for your friend.  What a tragedy for everyone that lost their homes in the wildfires.  That is an amazing story regarding the power company...UNBELIEVABLE!!!...yet very believable, unfortunately!!! 

Aug 20, 2012 02:04 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I have the smoke detectors in my clients' properties checked 2x annually by the HVAC firm that services the heating/air conditioning in the spring and fall....

Aug 20, 2012 08:21 PM
Richard Warden
Nest Seekers, Suffolk NY Home Inspections - Southampton, NY
Real Estate, Home Inspections, Expediting

Very powerful article and image!

As I home inspector, I find this article particularly poignent! 

Thanks for sharing and reminding us of this oft-neglected little detail of life!

Aug 20, 2012 11:18 PM
Liz Oster
Algoma, ON

Wallace - Good job!!! Everyone should be doing that...as well as changing the batteries at the same time.

Richard - Thank you for the comment.  It was so difficult to watch this happen to a neighbor's home.  Just makes you realize how quickly these tragedies can happen.

Aug 21, 2012 03:25 AM