What Would You Grab? This Could Save Your Life!
By Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21746)
Canada
January 22, 2017 2:05am CST
The scene is set.
You are watching television, when your smoke alarm sounds.
My first instinct is to sniff. Do I smell smoke?
Mentally I've always had a list about what I would grab on my way out of the door. Most people have similar lists...an heirloom, a photo album.....something they treasure.
Twenty five years ago we had time to grab a few things as we headed out of our burning homes.
This is no longer the case. We now have only minuets to escape.
Our local fire department is sharing information in the wake of a fire that killed four members of a family in mid December.
Twenty five years ago, it was estimated, and demonstrated that a fire started in a sofa cushion took almost 20 minutes to reach, what is referred to as Flash Point. The same match on today's sofa cushion reaches Flash Point in under 3 minutes.
Those brief 3 minutes, barely give you time to get yourself and your loved ones.
Please, please take the time to watch this video.
Research shows that 30 years ago, you had about 17 minutes to escape a house fire. Today, you have only 3 or 4 minutes. TODAY national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen conducts a dramatic demonstration that shows why, and how you should prepare.
18 people like this
17 responses
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
22 Jan 17
The one thing I know about is that most things can be replaced apart from human life. I am very conscious of the effects of toxic fumes from our furniture and fixtures and you literally can be overcome within seconds, Most people die of the effects of inhalation as opposed to burns.
The only thing I would grab is my loved ones. Blow the material things. i know of people who have lost literally everything but the main consolation is that they all survived. It is vital to have insurance many people do not or the skimp on it.
6 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
22 Jan 17
I don't know if I had time to grab anything would care more about everyone's safety!
If I could save some stuff, I would try though.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
That's just what this video shows. We don't have time to grab things....we barely have time to get ourselves out. .
3 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt I will watch when I'm on my laptop :) Thanks !
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
23 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt I've looked at it now - frightening.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
That's just it...most of the materials used in furniture are synthetics which are very combustible, and release noxious and explosive fumes. Natural fibres burn much differently from synthetics.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
Your link works when copied and pasted, the blue letters doesn't work. I did watch the video, it is very scary...I think all of us today have more synthetics in our house than our parents did. Thanks for the share.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
I'm not sure why the link doesn't work...I was shocked at how quickly the room was ngulfed in flame.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
I had never seen the video of time...it is very scary...but those of us who aren't exposed to them at school need to watch them.
2 people like this
@paigea (35775)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt Very true. I happened to be subbing during a presentation by CP Rail and another presentation explaining the dangers of irrigation canals. We do all need to be aware of these things.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Jan 17
wow that's pretty scary to even think about I just want us all out safely.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
Until I watched this video I hadn't realized just how little time we might have to get out.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
23 Jan 17
@fishtiger58 I hope everyone watches it and acknowledges that they need to get out, fast.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
23 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt And many times that's what people think they have time to grab stuff and they really don't
@WorkAtHomeGal (229)
• Canada
24 Jan 17
I don't own many photos so my biggest treasure is my cat and probably one of my journals which sounds selfish almost but I actually have no photo albums...
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
24 Jan 17
You need to watch the video link....don't worry about grabbing anything. First get out...that might be all you have time to do.
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
My laptop would. Ot be the first thing I would think of and finding it in a smoky room would never be quick.
@jstory07 (134752)
• Roseburg, Oregon
24 Jan 17
I would just grab my cat and purse and have my husband grab my lap top.
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
22 Jan 17
If it is not breathing, I would not grab it! Will watch the video and see what they say.
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
People would be the first...a pet if I didn't have to search....many animals will find their own way out, and risking our very lives for a pet that might have escaped already would be foolish.
@Fleura (29237)
• United Kingdom
3 Jul 17
It's very frightening isn't it? I'm glad that we still have lots of old stuff - wood furniture, some even with horsehair upholstery, feather cushions, wool carpet in the lounge and ceramic tiles in the kitchen and hall. Even so I'm paranoid about house fires, especially now everyone has locks on their windows. I always make sure there's a key I can find in every room. I keep intending to buy a fire escape ladder too, as there's only one way down from upstairs apart from jumping out of the windows. I really should do that!
@Fleura (29237)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 17
@Morleyhunt I'm surprised they were allowed that sort of thing.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
5 Jul 17
@Fleura on a native reservation there aren't a lot of regulations that apply.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
5 Jul 17
Many years ago I spent a week on a. Mission trip...way up north. We were housed in "mission House", a fire trap. The week we were there I got very little sleep. I knew is something were to happen not one of the six of us could escape. The windows were shuttered and padlocked...the door was not just lock at night but had a 2x6 bar slid into place to barricade the door. Scary.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
22 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt Perhaps the inside of pillows on the sofas. Not the coverings. At least we have lots of exits.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
No synthetics? My budget won't allow me that luxury.
Most furniture is partial board covered with a veneer...most stuffing in sofas, chairs and pillows are synthetic, not to mention the fabrics. Curtain, carpeting....laminate flooring. The list goes on.
2 people like this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
22 Jan 17
I always keep a special suitcase with all my precious documents...land deed, passport, birth certificate and spare cash. In case of emergency, if I could, that's what I grab and fling outside. But my life is more important and if I can't ...then I can't.
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
If you watched the video, I don't think you would consider even trying to grab a suitcase.
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
It is important to have an escape plan and to rehearse it from time to time. It's also important to keep your pathways clear.
2 people like this
@sans224 (1808)
•
22 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt
correct. the material used in curtains , furnitures also need to be selected wisely.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jan 17
If We only have a few minutes, I would certainly just grab my bag which contains my purse that has my ATMs and other cards.
@1creekgirl (40636)
• United States
22 Jan 17
Another reminder how very important it is to have working smoke detectors in every room and a meeting place outside.
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
A working smoke alarm....an easy to execute exit plan.....and a meeting place.
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jan 17
I wasn't able to watch this but I do know how important it is to be ready to flee at a moment's notice.
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
22 Jan 17
I was shocked at how quickly the modern room was engulfed in flames.
1 person likes this
