FIRE!!!!

Not my home.

So we had a fire alarm last night.  I did the typical thing and waited just long enough to see if the alarm was a quick blip as sometimes happens, or if it was continuous.  It was continuous, so I did the responsible thing.  "Kids!  Let's go!"  Well let me just tell you that it took the kids WAY too long to get out of the house!  And to think i thought we'd be good.  After all, we'd talked about it several times.  

They were wandering around in circles like it was a school morning and they just weren't focusing on their task at hand.  You know... "Get your coat and boots and GET OUT!!"  In the confusion as I tried to heard more than one child out the door, I hadn't noticed until we got down to the first floor that one of my children had taken the time to save his cat.  

Houdini.  No, she was not in the stroller at the time of the fire alarm.

Glad the cat got out... wasn't glad that was part of the reason it took so long to get out.  The other son, upon seeing this, asked to go back upstairs to save his cat.  "No!"  *sigh*  And then I hoped like mad there was no fire, because I was really not looking forward to the anger and grief that would follow if anything happened to his kitty, but at least I was smart enough to remember the multitude of news reports about people dying in fires while trying to save their animals.  I understand that while we love our animals dearly, it does nobody any good to burn to a crisp trying to save them.  

Squirrely

So I was disappointed with our exit time and disorganization, but was proud that we had obeyed the alarm and used the stairs like good little doobies.  Until I met up with my mom and she mentioned that she had tested the doors for heat and smoke before she opened them.  *smacks self in head*  I forgot all about that.  *sigh*

And then there were all the people who were using the elevators, and let's not forget the various people, mostly women, one of which pregnant, who all thought it was a fantastic idea to send their spouse down to check on the situation while they stayed upstairs in their apartment.  This alarm had turned out to be a glitch in the system which they are working very hard to resolve today with professionals, but if the threat had been real, those women would have been relying on their husbands to somehow track down the building manager who would be very busy SOMEWHERE in the building taking care of the situation, or by word of mouth information/gossip from tenants before they made their decision that there was indeed a threat somewhere. Then they'd go back upstairs, (probably by elevator, I might add,) and THEN finally save their wives and children?  Are you freaking kidding me??

In an epic way!

So what have I learned?  I've learned that we've got a lot of work to do, both in our home and in our little micro-community we call an apartment building.  It's time to reeducate ourselves and each other.  Think you're ready in case of a fire?  Think you don't need any preparation?  You might be very surprised to learn what your actual level of preparedness is, and with any luck, you won't have to find out in the middle of an actual fire.  

So What Should We Do?

• Plan ahead and develop a routine to keep basic needs at the door so they can be grabbed quickly: Keys, coats, footwear
  
• Consider sleeping in pajamas or have a housecoat hanging at the door at all times so you can quickly cover yourself without losing any time in case of a fire.
  
• Consider keeping your cell phone in a location where it is easy to grab on the way out without causing any delays so you can call for help once you've gotten outside.
  
• Move quickly!  Don't stop to save your animals or favourite pictures. Get yourself and your family out the door immediately. If your pet just happens to be at the door on your way out, by all means bring them with you, but they should in no way be impeding or slowing your exit from your home!
  
• Check the door for heat with your hand , and look for smoke entering the cracks around the door before you open it.  If the door or knob are hot, use your pre-determined alternate route.
  
• If there is smoke, stay low!  Cover your mouth and nose with clothing if you can, crawl on hands and knees to the nearest exist if need be. Remember to check all doors first before opening.
  
• Use the stairs!  NEVER use the elevator.
  
• Meet outside at a pre-determined location.
  
• NEVER go back in until you are given the all clear from officials.

What tips do you have for getting out safely during a fire? Feel free to share!

That's it, people!  Stay safe and be well.  :0)