What matters most...
You know...you feel horrible when things aren't going as smoothly as you like. Takes something rather drastic to put things in proper perspective.
Over the weekend, my uncle living near the family farm had a chimney fire. Thankfully, somebody happened to be driving by at 2AM to pound on the door to wake up my uncle to tell him the house was on fire. For whatever reason, he didn't have any working smoke detectors in the house, and the fire at the time was only on the roof near the chimney. Smoke hadn't gotten inside yet, but I dread to think about that possibility. I dread to think what could've happened if that helpful fellow (who we never learned his name) hadn't taken the time to stop and make sure nobody was inside.
The fire ended up engulfing the entire house, fire department couldn't really save it. The house is just a foundation with walls, no windows, and lotta things gone.
I'm glad to say the most important thing got out...my uncle.
After speaking with my grandma on Sunday, I realized she didn't have any smoke detectors installed in the farm house either. I fixed that problem yesterday. Stopped to Walmart during lunch, and for under $50, gave myself some peace of mind with two detectors and a fire extinguisher for her kitchen. Picked up an extinguisher for our new place too while I was at it.
Moral of the story. Yeah it's money, maybe you'll never need 'em. Maybe they are in a pain in the ass to install and deal with when you burn some pasta on the stove...
But maybe they'll be the only thing that makes sure the most important things get out.
Over the weekend, my uncle living near the family farm had a chimney fire. Thankfully, somebody happened to be driving by at 2AM to pound on the door to wake up my uncle to tell him the house was on fire. For whatever reason, he didn't have any working smoke detectors in the house, and the fire at the time was only on the roof near the chimney. Smoke hadn't gotten inside yet, but I dread to think about that possibility. I dread to think what could've happened if that helpful fellow (who we never learned his name) hadn't taken the time to stop and make sure nobody was inside.
The fire ended up engulfing the entire house, fire department couldn't really save it. The house is just a foundation with walls, no windows, and lotta things gone.
I'm glad to say the most important thing got out...my uncle.
After speaking with my grandma on Sunday, I realized she didn't have any smoke detectors installed in the farm house either. I fixed that problem yesterday. Stopped to Walmart during lunch, and for under $50, gave myself some peace of mind with two detectors and a fire extinguisher for her kitchen. Picked up an extinguisher for our new place too while I was at it.
Moral of the story. Yeah it's money, maybe you'll never need 'em. Maybe they are in a pain in the ass to install and deal with when you burn some pasta on the stove...
But maybe they'll be the only thing that makes sure the most important things get out.