Our (small) House Fire - Lesson 2
Posted on | January 25, 2010 | No Comments
We had a house fire a couple of weeks ago - and we’re still working through the aftermath. We’ve learned some lessons along the way that we’re sharing here.
Brief recap - We saw smoke filling the house, called 911, and learned lesson #1.
As the Newport Volunteer firemen arrived, I was outside with our dog, Lovey. The policeman who responded to the call was out with me as well. He was the picture of calm, I think all the first responders knew this wasn’t bad. Within minutes, they had located the source of the burning rubber, metal and acrid smoke smell - the fire was in the furnace and soon it was out.
For such a small fire, the furnace had pushed the smoke and smell throughout the house and out to our neighbor’s house. The firemen brought an industrial fan and ran it for a few minutes. But as it was 26 degrees out, we couldn’t have it on long.
The firemen packed up and left. We felt so lucky that it was a small fire and no one was hurt.
We walked through the house, it smelled terrible - like a tire fire mixed with other bizarre man-made chemicals. We called a friend who gave us the second lesson of the evening - get as many clothes, linens, towels, pillows and rugs out as possible. The smell would permeate them and it would be almost impossible to get out.
We did this - and it saved us hundreds of dollars in cleaning bills.
- Susan
Our Own House Fire
Posted on | January 20, 2010 | 2 Comments
Haven’t been posting because we recently had our own house fire. It was small and contained, but nonetheless, a fire. We were very lucky that we were home and awake.
It was around 8:30 at night, and smoke began filling the house.
Erik, my husband, and I were asking each other - are you cooking? did you leave something on somewhere? - and we’re running around trying to find the source of the fire. The smoke is getting thicker, the smell is awful, he’s feeling the walls for heat, I run into the pantry to grab this little fire extinguisher, the smoke is getting worse, and I realize ‘We’re not professionally trained to handle a fire…’ and call 911.
We were told by the 911 operator to evacuate. I leashed our dog, Lovey, and grabbed my camera and cell phone. Just two weeks earlier, I had taken pictures of EVERYTHING in the house to begin a home inventory update. Of course, I hadn’t downloaded a single shot. Everything was put in my purse, I took a flashlight and ran out telling Erik I was going to steer the first responders to our house.
It’s impossible to find our house. We live down a dirt road, and there is no address visible anywhere. As Lovey and I ran down our steep driveway, down the road, I thought of WhatHappensNow and the item I had posted for at least two weeks about making sure your address is clear from the road so first responders can find you.
And I was running to the end of the drive, frantically waving a flashlight so fire and police would know where to go.
Lesson #1: Make sure your address is visible!
More lessons to come ….
- Susan
Slippery sidewalks? De-ice the green way
Posted on | January 5, 2010 | No Comments
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has a nifty monthly newsletter - and this month is particularly helpful if you are dealing with icy sidewalks (and save you lucky folks in Miami, who isn’t dealing with this?!)
Here’s what they have to share:
De-icing salts can damage the plants along your sidewalk and street. These salts also wash away with melted snow and flow into our lakes and rivers. What to do?
Preventing ice is the best way to reduce the impact of salts:
- Shovel sidewalks as soon as possible after a snowfall.
- Deposit snow in a location where it won’t cause future problems during melting/refreezing.
- Remove slush and soft snow on warm days.
- Fix rain gutter leaks and direct downspouts away from sidewalks and driveways.
Choose a nicer de-icer. Even the best scrapers and chippers may face an ice problem. Use a de-icer to lower the freezing temperature of the water, causing the ice to break apart. Choices you’ll see at the local hardware store:
- Salts—sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride—are toxic to plants, trees, and waterways. One teaspoon of salt can contaminate 5 gallons of water forever, so use as little as you need to get the job done.
- Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and other acetate de-icers are salt-free, have a low toxicity, and are biodegradable. They do, however, contribute excess nutrients to our waterways and must be applied appropriately.
De-icers aren’t for melting away every bit of snow and ice. Use enough to break the ice away from the pavement, then shovel away the remaining slush. See the MPCA’s Sidewalk Maintenance Manual for further information.
- Thanks MPCA!
Time Off? Scream Fire and See What Happens
Posted on | December 30, 2009 | No Comments
This is usually a week where family hangs out after the holidays. In a calm moment at the house, scream ‘Fire’ and see who knows gets out of the house quickly and safely.
If no one knows how to get out, create a home emergency exit plan this Saturday or Sunday.
Here’s how:
- Draw a floor plan of your residence. Mark two escape routes from each room, in case of flooding or fire. If your home has more than one story, make sure there is a way to safely exit the upper floors.
- Place a copy of each plan in each room in an obvious location - like on a door (just like hotels do!).
- Practice your escape plan every month using two exits. Make sure windows and doors aren’t stuck (winter freeze?) and that screens can be removed.
- Practice at night to see how long family members take to wake up. You should also practice blindfolded. Why? This mimics the darkness of smoke. Smoke makes it very difficult to see anything as you try to get out.
- Designate a place for everyone to meet outside. Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of this place (so you can call if the emergency happens and you’re not there). Consider a neighbor’s house or nearby gas station.
Also, get your kids involved with this; they’ll need to know how to get out as well. Here are some good tips:
- Have your kids choose the place where to meet in case you need to leave the house immediately. Make a deal with your kids that they will stay in that spot until they are told by firefighters or police that it is OK to move. Make sure this meeting place is away from the road and driveway - first responder vehicles will drive on these.
- You’ve done the family escape plan – have the kids color in escape routes (remember they have to have two exits to color in).
- Have your kids choose where they’d like to place the escape plan in their room (you need to make it easily accessible) as well as other rooms in the house.
Also, you may not be home when an emergency or fire strikes - so ….
- Know the emergency response plan adn phone numbers for your workplace, your children’s school or day-care center, as well as other places where your family spends time.
- Also, meet with neighbors either informally or through a neighborhood group to create a neighborhood preparedness plan. Learn what neighbors or relatives may require extra assistance.
OK, that should fill a couple of hours this weekend. Have a safe and happy new year!
Susan
Safe Purse, Safe Wallet - Tips for Safe Shopping
Posted on | December 29, 2009 | No Comments
Making post-holiday returns? Or maybe getting those terrific shopping deals? Either way - here are quick tips to keep your purse and wallet secure and safe while deal-hunting.
- Zip It. Choose a purse/bag with a strap and a zipper and keep it closed.
- Keep ‘Em Separated. Keep your keys and phone separate from your handbag. Why? If your purse is stolen, you’ll be stranded with no car keys and no immediate way to call anyone.
- Pocket It. Quick errand? Leave your purse or wallet at home and carry only what you need in pants or shirt pocket.
- Never Been Touched. Take rarely used credit cards from your wallet and store them in a safe place at home.
- No SS#s. Carry only what you need. Medical cards or other ID cards often use your social security number as your account number – carry your card only as needed.
- SmartPhone. Your smartphone (the one with all your PIN numbers and passwords in it?), make sure it’s password-locked when not in use.
- Big Ones. Big purse? Carry it with one arm across it or with the strap crossing your body. Wear the strap under your jacket or sweater.
- Where’s Wallet? To minimize leaving your wallet somewhere, establish the habit of returning it a secure inside pocket.
- Clean Receipts Out. After shopping, take credit card, ATM and store receipts from your purse or wallet and put them in an envelope or folder.
- The Mentalist. Before each shopping trip, mentally itemize what’s in your purse and wallet. This will give you an idea of what to report to an insurance agent in case of theft.
- At Home and at the Office. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (bank, credit card companies, insurance agent) at home and office. Why? Many people use lunch hours for shopping (maybe you?). In case of a theft or loss, you’ll have emergency numbers nearby.
Happy Shopping!
- Susan
Don’t Freeze Your Dog
Posted on | December 10, 2009 | No Comments
In light of the sub-freezing temps around the country, we’re re-posting advice about dogs and cold weather.
I’m ready to come inside
In January, 2009, we spoke to Dr. Eric Ruhland, a veterinarian from Hastings, Minnesota, (current temp today: 1, feels like -12) and asked him about his guidelines for keeping dogs safe in this frigid weather.
1. Small Dogs (under 20 pounds, up to 50)
Smaller breeds get colder faster. Keep them outdoors no more that five minutes.
Why? Small dogs, like Yorkies, have a larger surface to volume ratio - which means more surface area and smaller bodies (the opposite of an elephant which has a lot of volume).
2. Large Dogs (over 50 pounds)
Larger dogs, like German Shepherds, can be outside up to 10 minutes in this freezing weather.
3. An Outdoor Dog?
If you have a dog that’s always outside no matter what, they need an enclosed area of an enclosed exclusion from the elements that has at least six inches of bedding. There are laws in every state for keeping a dog safe and outdoors. As an example, here is Minnesota’s law.
4. For All Dogs
For all dogs, watch for frostbite. Dr. Ruhland says there are several areas to be concerned about:
- Noses (they are wet and can easily freeze)
- The inside back of the thighs (almost no hair!)
- The insides of ears
- Ear tips
And Dr. Ruhland’s rule of thumb? If you think it’s cold outside, so does your dog.
Thanks Dr. Ruhland!
- Susan
How to Trim a Tree Safely
Posted on | December 4, 2009 | No Comments
Yesterday we posted some info from the US Fire Administration and Safe Kids USA on fire safety around the holidays. Today we’re looking at what they have to say about trimming the Christmas tree:
If you decorate a tree, Safe Kids USA and the USFA recommend these precautions:
- Never leave a lighted Christmas tree or other decorative lighting display unattended.
- Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections, and broken sockets.
- Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not run an electrical cord under a rug.
- Natural Christmas trees always involve some risk of fire. To minimize this risk, get a fresh tree and keep it watered at all times.
- Do not put a live tree within three feet of a fireplace, space heater, radiator, or heat vent.
- Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.
Decorate with children in mind:
- Do not put ornaments that have small parts or metal hooks, or look like food or candy, on the lower branches where small children can reach them.
- Trim protruding branches at or below a child’s eye level
- Keep lights out of reach.
Safe Kids USA offers these tips to prevent poisoning (take note of the berries for pets as well as kids!)
- Keep alcohol (including baking extracts) out of reach
- Do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended.
- Color additives used in fireplace fires are a toxic product and should be stored out of reach.
- Artificial snow can be harmful if inhaled, so use it in a well-vented space.
- Mistletoe berries, Holly Berry and Jerusalem Cherry can be poisonous. If they are used in decorating, make sure children and pets cannot reach it.
- In a poison emergency, call the national Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
USFA and Safe Kids USA - Don’t Burn Down the House
Posted on | December 3, 2009 | No Comments
Here’s a stat that wakes you up: the top four days for candle fires are around Christmas and New Years, according to a release from the US Fire Administration. They’ve joined with Safe Kids USA to talk about fire safety and kids this season.
They also say that candles started over 15,000 house fires in the US in 2005. That would probably wipe out a good portion of your neighborhood.
Also - from their release - Wintertime is the most dangerous time of the year for injuries and deaths from fire. Each year, approximately 450 children ages 14 and under die in residential fires; children under the age of 5 are at the greatest risk.
Here are their tips:
- Battery-operated flameless candles are an alternative that does not have a fire risk.
- Decorative lighting should be labeled with the seal of an independent testing lab and should only be used outdoors if it’s labeled for outdoor use.
And some tips from Suzanne Morton, Safe Kids USA fire and burn safety program manager:
- Never, never leave lit candles unattended
- Don’t put candles on a tree or a natural wreath, or near curtains or drapes
- Keep matches and lighters locked out of reach of children
- Susan
Tiger Woods: Now Reporting More than an Accident
Posted on | December 2, 2009 | No Comments
Tiger Woods’ car accident has led to some thinly veiled confessions.
Dude, what is going on?
This makes me realize that life is seldom a beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway. Hopefully, Tiger will soon be out of the rough. If not, here’s a run up on how to get ready for a divorce - good advice from people who have lived through it.
- Susan
Tiger Woods - How to Report an Accident
Posted on | November 30, 2009 | No Comments
Tiger Woods’ “car accident” was reported by his neighbor - if you are reporting an accident or emergency by cell phone:
- Be sure you are safe.
- If you are driving, pull over to a safe spot, turn on your hazard lights (flashers) and stop before calling for help.
- Be watchful of the potential for additional accidents caused by the first accident.
- Stay out of the path of oncoming vehicles.
Be prepared to give specific information:
- Location of the emergency
- Road name or number
- City, State
- Closest cross street or off-ramp, milepost or other identifier
- Direction of travel
- Any distinguishing landmarks
Describe the nature of the emergency:
- Crash
- Reckless or suspected drunk driver
- Traffic hazard
- Medical emergency
- Fire
- Crime in progress, etc.
In every instance, the dispatcher will ask for:
- Your name
- Mobile phone number, and home and work phone numbers in case more information is needed.
- It is important that you stay on the line until the dispatcher says he or she has enough information to be able to send help.
Above all, after reporting an emergency, cell phone users should never risk their own safety. Calling for trained, professional help is the best approach, although in an immediate life-threatening situation it may be appropriate to take rescue action provided the “rescuer” is not endangered.
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