Stop Drop & Roll

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Last night at just after 2 AM, we were rudely awakened by the blaring sound of our apartment complex fire alarm.  I quickly got out of bed to see what was going on and within ten seconds, the alarm had stopped and I returned to bed.  As my husband and I tried to go back to sleep we heard the fire truck sirens nearing our building.  As we drifted off to sleep, we then began to smell smoke.  I again jumped out of bed.  I went to check the door knob to the hallway with Simba close behind.  He knew something was going on.  It was cold so I looked out the peep hole and then opened the door.  The hallway was covered with a haze of smoke and the smell was intense.  I quickly closed the door to keep the smoke from entering and told my husband that we needed to get their leashes on and get out because I was unsure what was going on.  Why had the alarm ended so quickly but our hallway was full of smoke?  I leashed the dogs making sure they both had their tags on (inside we don't have collars on so they don't get tangled).  We went into the hallway where we ran into a fireman.  Simba of course barked like a madman because that's his latest greeting that we haven't trained out of him yet.  We asked if we needed to evacuate and he told us that someone had a small fire in their bathroom which was now out and that we should stay in but keep our door closed to prevent the smoke from coming in.  We did just that.

 

So...what's the point of this...during the winter months there are so many sad stories as a result of fires.  While nothing really happened last night, it made me realize that with pets, there are definitely extra things to think about.  Do you always keep their leash and tags in the same place so you can find them easily?  Is this place on your path outside?  Do they sleep in the same area as you or if there was a fire, are they in an area that is far and could be hard to get to?  Is where they stay on the way to an exit or will it take you out of the way if you need to get out?  Also, if you are in trouble, will first responders even know you have a pet, and if so, will they know what type and how many?  There are decals you can buy and place on your window that let police and firemen know just that information but do you have one? 

 

I hope this discussion just gets everyone thinking about ways to be prepared and how to protect our furry family members too.  I'm sure others will have more insight and tips on how to handle these situations.

[Sharon & Monty]

and so... a timely article showed up in our news today. 

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/12/christmas_tree_s...

 

Let us all be safe and secure during the holidays and every day.  Wishing all of you and your doods well for this season and every one after that. 

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Lindsey, thanks for starting this post! We are going to be making some changes at our house too. Lots of good information here!!

[Dori & Rua]

Glad everything turned out OK.  I have a collar and leash right in front of Rua's crate when she is in it (which is where she is when we sleep or are gone).  I have a collar and leash by the downstairs patio door, and a leash & collar (with her tags) in her "bag" by the garage door.  Our front door side light has a decal letting them know there is 1 dog and 1 cat in the house.  PuffDog, our cat, I am afraid, would not make it.  She would hide.  Hopefully Rua would bark or cry...our bedroom is not far from the front door.

 

At 3AM the morning of August 2nd, our neighbors from across the street pounded on our front door.  Their house was hit by lightening (direct hit that traveled along the gas line and ruptured next to an electrical line inbetween their main floor and basement_ during a storm and caught fire.  He literally thrust his soaking-wet 4 year old in my arms as he ran back across the street to help his wife who just had knee surgery.  Thank God everyone was OK.  They just moved back into their our right before Thanksgiving!

 

If is not a matter of "IF", but of "WHEN". 

 

Thank you for bringing this up.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh and Lindsey, gosh I was so caught up in the whole"how do I keep Tara safe?" thinking that I neglected to say that I am really glad to hear you and your family are all okay!! It still must have been quite unsettling!!  Give the doodles a big hug from me and Tara!!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

No problem. It really was a non-event aside from being up in the middle of night but got the wheels turning.

[Kyoko]

Great point!! Thanks for posting this....

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I am so grateful that you posted this...first grateful that you are all okay and then secondly so I know to put a leash in our room....I am 99% sure Daisy would dash in and hide, she is so skiddish with outside at night, can't imagine what she would do with activity actually happening.

 

Thank you Thank you Thank you.