fire safety

[macloudt at yahoo.co.uk]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Michelle" <firefightermichelle at y...> 
wrote:
> --- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., macloudt at y... wrote:
> > Mary Ann
> > (whose house can best be described as a fire trap)
> 
> As resident firefighter ... I say ... don't let your hosue be a 
fire 
> trap!!!  How big is your house?  Do you have at least 1 smoke 
> detector for every room, excluding the kitchen, but not the dining 
> room?  Do you have at least 1 small multi-purpose fire 
extinguisher?  
> I keep mine near the kitchen ... just in case I really show off my 
> bad cooking skills :)
> 

Thanks for the advice, Michelle! :)

Yes, we have smoke detectors everywhere...the one in the hallway is 
forever going off if I haven't cleaned the oven properly (a frequent 
occurence).  Thanks for reminding me about having a fire extinguisher 
in the kitchen, though, that had completely slipped my mind.

Last year we had a loft extension made, with the stairs to the loft 
built inbetween 2 bedroom doors.  There is now a fire door at the 
bottom of the stairs (building regulations...also keeps the kids 
out), but before the building work was finished and the door wasn't 
there it was *amazing* how sound travelled up that enclosed 
staircase.  This made us realize how easily fire would be sucked up 
those stairs.  A truly frightening thought.  I must point out, 
though, that the fire door is propped open at night.  My husband and 
I sleep in the loft, and we need to keep an ear on the kids one floor 
below.  Also (God forbid) if we *did* have a fire, what's the first 
thing we'd do?  That's right, go downstairs and get the kids.  If 
they go, I go.

The main reason why I called my house a fire trap is because of the 
ridiculous amount of books we have.  My husband and I are both avid 
bookworms *but* have opposing interests.  Our daughter, who is 4 and 
literally just learning to read, must have 30 or so books in her room 
alone. I think we put the local library to shame!  Our 3-year-old son 
has about the same amount in his room, and the 15-month old has his 
30-odd board books in the lounge...usually all over the floor.  I 
swear, it's genetic.  Or perhaps I'm just a bad influence...

Mary Ann
(not for the first time questioning her parenting skills...or lack 
thereof...)