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
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