Fire Safety Tips

About a year ago, I was working late at night in my home office. The way my office is set up, my back faces the doorway when I am working at my desk and computer. This helps me concentrate and keeps me from noticing distractions.

On this particular evening I was focused on something -- I forget what -- when all of a sudden I was aware of a high-pitched humming sound coming from somewhere inside the house. Over several minutes the sound became louder and increased in pitch. I finished what I was working on. I got up from my desk to investigate this increasingly loud noise. As I entered the hallway, I quickly realized the whole house was filled with smoke!

This might be a good place to admit that my sense of smell is not exactly what it should be! But I was sure as I made my way through the fog, that there must be an odor and there must be FLAMES somewhere in the house!

Skipping 3 stairs at a time, I raced down the staircase. Running first through the dining room to the kitchen, I expected to find flames! No Flames! Next, I hurdled an ottoman on the way to my master-on-the-main bedroom, tripped over a pair of shoes to the master bathroom. No Flames! I checked the laundry room. The Garage. Closets. No Flames!

I was sweating and close to a state of panic, yet trying hard to keep my wits about me!

Think logically you fool!

I grabbed a phone as I headed outside to check for flames! As I dialed 9 1 1, I ran around the perimeter of the house checking for flames. I was nearly out of breath when the operator asked, "Whats Your Emergency?"

I don't mind admitting to you that I was scared! Really scared! My house was filled with smoke, yet I could not find any obvious reason. The fire department was on their way! I was embarrassed -- yet panicked! I could hear the fire engines coming from miles away!

Within a few minutes, my neighbors along with 3 fire engines, 4 police cruisers, 1 rescue vehicle and about 16 firemen all congregated in my front yard!

OH! And...I almost forgot... the firemen brought hatchets! You tend to become a little concerned when an army of firemen enter your house with hatchets!

After a complete investigation by the Woodstock Fire Department, I learned that my house had experienced a power surge which affected my downstairs 1999 vintage Zenith TV. The power surge had actually caused an electrical fire within the TV. Luckily the TV set had turned itself off when the television began to flame.

It's one of those things you never expect to happen -- a fire -- at my house!

I am pleased to say that the Woodstock Fire Department was wonderful! One fireman told me to "look on the bright side...now you can go shopping for a new TV -- you get to buy new technology!" "How great is that", he said! He even offered to go with me to pick out a new TV!

I still have not replaced the old TV in spite of the fact that it hasn't worked since the evening of the fire. I just closed the door to the armoire where the TV resides still inside. Out of sight. Out of mind.

Occasionally, when I am out showing property, I observe fire hazards in homes I am showing to clients!

Last winter, a homeowner asked me to preview their home as they wanted to me list it for sale. Granted this was in February and it was a cool day when I visited the home. I was very concerned when I entered their kitchen to find 2 unattended burners on their stove in the "On" position and flames shooting three inches above the burners. No pans were on the burners. These people were actually trying to avoid turning on their heat and using the gas heat from the stove to warm their home!

Really! Are you kidding me?

I just learned that this is Fire Prevention Week! I want to thank Cherokee County Firefighters and first responders especially the Woodstock Fire Department!

This is FIRE PREVENTION WEEK! The Cherokee County Fire and EMS offers the following tips for protecting your home and family from fire:

1) Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2) Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.

3) Have a 3-foot "kid free zone" around open fires and space heaters.

4) Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.

5) If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.

6) Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.

7) Develop a family escape plan which you practice with all family members on a regular basis. Make sure every family member is aware of the escape route and knows what to do in case of a real fire.

8) Equip your home with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

9) Clean up debree in attics, garages and basements on a regular basis and make sure that paper such as magazines and newspapers don't accumulate. Make sure that gasoline cans and receptacles are properly ventilated.

Be safe! Exercise common sense! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara Hibbard specializes in assisting home buyers and sellers in the Canton, Woodstock, Alpharetta, Roswell, Acworth, Kennesaw and north Atlanta metro area. Call Sara with your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying/selling process. Sara Hibbard is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or e-mail her at sara@SaraHibbard.com! Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!