The Burning House...

[Glenn]

I don't assume anything. I would double-check and make sure all of my beloved furbabies are all out lol! I sleep with my wallet and cellphone, and have actually been through a couple of fires, so am definitely prepared with a rolling suitcase full of important things. If I had more time, I would throw some of the furkid's survival food in the yard, grab the photo album amd my Mom's ashes, because that is all I have left of them, and maybe my framed degrees. I could find shelter, food, clothes, etc., afterwards.

[Syr]

Fire is dangerous and unpredictable. You should not stop for anything besides your loved ones, be they human or critter.

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by Syr

Fire is dangerous and unpredictable. You should not stop for anything besides your loved ones, be they human or critter.

I know, that's why I only choose living in places that are on a first floor. I have smoke alarms in every room and check them regularly. It also would be a good idea to learn where to shut off your main gas line leading into the house. However, the fires I've been in, and have seen, there still was a little time left, to pick up a couple of extra things. We should never assume this to be true in every circumstance though. The OP simply assumed that loved ones would be already out,and that there was going to be five extra minutes.

[Syr]

Originally Posted by Glenn

I know, that's why I have smoke alarms in every room and check them regularly. It also would be a good idea to learn where to shut off your main gas line leading into the house. However, the fires I've been in, and have seen, there was a little time to spare.

I am a firefighter. I will be representing my department at the funeral of an elderly lady that succumbed to injuries she attained in a house fire I attended. 4 people got out......she went back for her purse. Went from smouldering to fully engulfed in less than 2 seconds. The rest is just sad. My advise, just get out and away from danger.

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by Syr

I am a firefighter. I will be representing my department at the funeral of an elderly lady that succumbed to injuries she attained in a house fire I attended. 4 people got out......she went back for her purse. Went from smouldering to fully engulfed in less than 2 seconds. The rest is just sad. My advise, just get out and away from danger.

Is it safe to assume the four people who got out did not go back inside for anything, and she was the only one who went back inside? I agree then, get out, and never go back inside, even once. Stay out!

[TheMerryFairy]

Originally Posted by Syr

Fire is dangerous and unpredictable. You should not stop for anything besides your loved ones, be they human or critter.

I agree that it's dangerous and if faced with a real housefire situation it's best to worry about your safety first (and those you love).

I keep those three things next to me at all times so I wouldn't be trying to run around to grab anything else.

[Blade]

guns and ammo
camera
extra pair of boots
a few hats
laptop
everything in the corner cabinet pictures and squirrels
fire safe
box of jewelry
grabbing the phone, keys,leashes and coat on the way out the door

[Vivacious1]

Well, As I was reading I had a whole list of things that I would need, including clothes, shoes etc. I happened upon Syr's post stating the story of the woman that perished, As the Fire Chief's daughter, I felt that I should rethink my list.

1) my *stuffed mouse* a gift my mom gave me before she passed away
2) keys
3) purse

[PearlsNLace]

I think I want to look for a better picture program on line that is EASY and I can load every last picture I have.
That way, I can follow the advice here. Grab my butch and the fuzzies.
Every thing else is just stuff.
Life is more important.

Also note to self: donate to american red cross. those folks help more people because of fires, countless untold stories of the rescue that makes life possible, after the rescue that saves lives.

External hard-drive
The Alchemist - my best guitar
Current inhalers


As long as Her Royal Greyness and any hoomans are ok, then all is well.

[justanolecowboy]

Originally Posted by Syr

Fire is dangerous and unpredictable. You should not stop for anything besides your loved ones, be they human or critter.

Syr makes an excellent statement - The only concern at the outset of a fire is to “get out” period – end of story. Fire consumes in a matter of seconds. No matter how “priceless” you think a “thing” is – it is still just a “ thing” - living- breathing beings – should be the only concern at that point.

The time to think about what what should be gotten out – should be thought about “before” a fire – there are many precautions that can be taken and ways to back up files/photos/etc (before) something tragic may happen –
protocols set in place for getting out of the house – exits/fire extinguishers/fire safes/back ups/safety deposit boxes – where to meet outside of the house – emergency phone numbers/etc…

I know this question was meant in fun (sort of) but I and others on this site who have seen the devastation of fire up close and personal – where lives have been lost and are at stake on a daily basis to ensure safety of human life – the protocols are not just something to “think about “ when you have time – they are “essential” to life-perhaps your own or someone’s you love some day.

[TheMerryFairy]

Originally Posted by justanolecowboy

Syr makes an excellent statement - The only concern at the outset of a fire is to “get out” period – end of story. Fire consumes in a matter of seconds. No matter how “priceless” you think a “thing” is – it is still just a “ thing” - living- breathing beings – should be the only concern at that point.

The time to think about what what should be gotten out – should be thought about “before” a fire – there are many precautions that can be taken and ways to back up files/photos/etc (before) something tragic may happen –
protocols set in place for getting out of the house – exits/fire extinguishers/fire safes/back ups/safety deposit boxes – where to meet outside of the house – emergency phone numbers/etc…

I know this question was meant in fun (sort of) but I and others on this site who have seen the devastation of fire up close and personal – where lives have been lost and are at stake on a daily basis to ensure safety of human life – the protocols are not just something to “think about “ when you have time – they are “essential” to life-perhaps your own or someone’s you love some day.

I agree. While it wasn't my space, I did have an experience with a fire in a friends building. It is of course always important to get you and your loved ones out with a plan already in place for emergencies. Of course sometimes in that moment all of that goes out the window. Time feels a lot different.

I guess just the way I have lived, I always keep the things I need close by at all times. I lived a lot of my life backpacking and working traveling from place to place so I am accustomed to not keeping a lot of "things". That makes what I do keep with me a lot more valuable and some of it while just "stuff" are things that are the last reminders I have of loved ones.

Safety first!

[JustBeingMe]

Me, I would get dressed if I wasn't already, grab my coat, and shoes and run the fuck out the door, grabbing my cat on the way, cause he sleeps in bed with me. (I'm single, so no one else to worry about but me and my cat.)
I have fire insurance on my apt. so my stuff can be replaced, clothes, place to live, etc, all covered under my insurance.

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by JustBeingMe

Me, I would get dressed if I wasn't already, grab my coat, and shoes and run the fuck out the door, grabbing my cat on the way, cause he sleeps in bed with me. (I'm single, so no one else to worry about but me and my cat.)
I have fire insurance on my apt. so my stuff can be replaced, clothes, place to live, etc, all covered under my insurance.

Yeah but.. alot of cats hide during fires and are harder to catch, and put in a carrier . They can become very powerful and hard to hold when they are stressed. For them, folks can buy a mesh laundry type quick evacuation sack that can be swooped over them to catch them. http://www.thedivinecat.com/qt/emerg...vac/index.html

[Strappie]

Disclaimer: I do know this is "FUN and FLUFF" thread

I did live through a fire at the age of 15. We did not have time to grab anything other than... what we had on and it was in December in Minnesota at 3 am.

I am always ready now ... Shoes, bra, pants, shirt/sweatshirt pants, keys and phone alway sit next to my bed. My three sister's still to this day do the same thing. We are forever prepared for the next time around.

Now in the FUN and FLUFF....

Phone
clothes
Laptop
ecig
Mellow Yellow *smirk*

[Kelt]

I think it would take about one minute to grab my bug out bag (that's what it's for), external hard drive and phone on the way to the door, keys at door.

With the bag I am good for 2 weeks, with access to my car which is street parked away from the property, another 2 weeks.

That is the luxury of time option. I could just walk out the door with nothing, if I could get to my car it is set up fine and a valet key is accessible on the exterior, master key on the interior impossible for anyone else to find.

Me + = good to go

*My prep is more for earthquake than fire, I guess if it is just the one structure it wouldn't matter. There are hotels to set up in then.

[always2late]

You did say my family and all the animals are safe, right? In that case I'd grab:
My backpack for school
My laptop
File folder of important papers (birth certs, insurance, passport, etc..)
Kindle
Phone

I keep most, if not all, of these things near or on my nightstand...never know what could happen and when you might have to get out in a hurry. Ever since my son has been old enough to understand, I've taught him about fire safety. First and foremost, I taught him to get out of the house...and run to a neighbors. He knows that under NO circumstances is he to come looking for me...just get out.