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Post by NS'Creter on Feb 1, 2009 2:55:00 GMT -4
Hi folks! Today is the third "anniversary" of the day our house burned. I was thinkin' about that incident and went outside for a smoke. It's snowing...heavily. We weren't expecting any snow but it sent a bit of a chill through me because this night 3 years ago there was a major blizzard. Strange huh?  So, no, there's not going to be an anniversary party but I figured that I'd make this the date that I remind folks to be safe. Check out your homes. Look at the appliances and electrical, check out your stuff that's stored in the attic and basement, be certain that your smoke detectors are working properly...just be sure that all is as it should be. It's a really good idea to have an inventory of your belongings on file somewhere...even at your insurance agents. A video inventory is even better and probably quicker to do. Gawd forbid that any of you need it but it will help you if you do. The insurance claim process is a bear and we're far from satisfied with how ours was settled. They know that you're vunerable, they know that you trust them and they know that you just want it all to be over. They will take advantage of that. So the less that you have to do if it actually ever happens the better off you'll be. I even recommend using a lawyer when settling and don't sign a thing until you're satisfied. I sincerely hope and pray that none of you ever need to go through that process but if you do it will help if you're prepared. We got lucky 'cause nobody, not even a pet, was hurt at all. So, take a bit of time folks to know that you're safe and that your arses are covered. |
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aynet
Concrete Pro
Posts: 47
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Post by aynet on Feb 1, 2009 8:58:33 GMT -4
It's a good reminder! Thanks.
My best friend from high school lost all four of her children in a house fire about 12 years ago. I became a fire safety freak for a while after that, but I've slacked off a bit lately. Thanks for reminding me that it's good to be a little freaky about it.
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alexwright
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Engrave-N-Stain Concrete Solutions
Posts: 180
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Post by alexwright on Feb 2, 2009 4:49:40 GMT -4
Yeah, thanks for the reminder. I could'nt imagen anything happening to my children. We are moving here on the same property to a bigger place where we used to live and we definitely will need these detectors. They can be a nuisance when you cook and they sometimes start going off but, they are life savers. Thanks for the reminder.
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Post by NS'Creter on Feb 2, 2009 11:01:09 GMT -4
What a terrible thing to happen Tenya...I can't imagine. Don't want to.
A lot of times we get comfortable and a little complacent. That can be dangerous. You may remember that our fire was caused by an older television that was down in the rec-room. Best to unplug things that aren't being used. Also, those plug-in air fresheners have caused many fires...I don't know if they're still available or not but they're not comin' into this house.
We were very fortunate not one person (or pet) was hurt in the slightest...I thank God for that every day.
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Lindy
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Posts: 185
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Post by Lindy on Feb 2, 2009 13:13:45 GMT -4
I read a very interesting article about clothes dryers recently. Did you know that they are a leading cause of house fires? As a general rule, most people do take care to clean out the lint catching filter on a regular basis and the vent leading outside ... however, if you use those softening sheets in your dryer (as I do), they built up invisible flammable/waxy film on the filter mesh screen that can lead to potential fire due to dryer element overheating, as well as premature burning out of dryer's heating element and substantially more energy than necessary to dry to your clothes since the filter is being blocked by this invisible/waxy foreign matter.
According to this "beware" article, if you use the waxy feeling commonly used clothes softening/dryer sheets, you need to remove your filter once a month, scrub it with hot soapy water, rinse thoroughly (in order to remove this hazardous/waxy film; as well as extend the life of your dyers heating element and make your dryer more energy efficient).
Lindy A.
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Lindy
Seasoned Concrete Veteran
Posts: 185
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Post by Lindy on Feb 2, 2009 13:37:31 GMT -4
My heart goes out to all those that have lost loved ones or friends in a house fire.  Am sure it is horrifying to witness your hopes dreams going up in smoke right before your eyes ... while the stress associated with insurance claims agents, finding temporary housing, and recovery in general become major mountains to climb. Although homeowners insurance (or renter's insurance if you don't own your residence) covers many monetary value items; everyone has family mementos, photos, and other treasures that only have a value to them and can never be replaced. The anniversary of a house fire only has one thing to be thankful for; being that those who have gone through this tragic time in their lives lived to tell about it. Unfortunately the number of house fires soar in the winter months since some people, in order to stay warm, run extention cords to the small/room electric heaters, place beds to close to heat sources, etc. Smoke dectectors are definitely IMPORTANT; but, don't forget the carbon monoxide detectors either if you have gas heaters and/or appliances in your home since this undetectible/invisable gas can be just as deadly. Lindy A.
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Post by NS'Creter on Feb 3, 2009 13:38:32 GMT -4
Great info Lindy!  I hafta admit that when the date rolled around for the "anniversary" of our fire I was a little freaked out. Kinda sober and chilled at the same time. Then I thought that I'd use the date to remind others to be safe and prepared. It can happen to you. Then, as I thought about that my thoughts were more about how fortunate we were in our experience. No, we're not happy with some of the work that was done but I came very close to losing my wife that day...I'm just sayin' that it's all in how ya spin it. I could hang my head and dwell on what was lost and how unlucky we were...I prefer to consider myself lucky 'cause we're all still alive and still together. That's all that really counts isn't it? |
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So, no, there's not going to be an anniversary party but I figured that I'd make this the date that I remind folks to be safe. Check out your homes. Look at the appliances and electrical, check out your stuff that's stored in the attic and basement, be certain that your smoke detectors are working properly...just be sure that all is as it should be. It's a really good idea to have an inventory of your belongings on file somewhere...even at your insurance agents. A video inventory is even better and probably quicker to do. Gawd forbid that any of you need it but it will help you if you do. The insurance claim process is a bear and we're far from satisfied with how ours was settled. They know that you're vunerable, they know that you trust them and they know that you just want it all to be over. They will take advantage of that. So the less that you have to do if it actually ever happens the better off you'll be. I even recommend using a lawyer when settling and don't sign a thing until you're satisfied. 
Am sure it is horrifying to witness your hopes dreams going up in smoke right before your eyes ... while the stress associated with insurance claims agents, finding temporary housing, and recovery in general become major mountains to climb.