The fire alarm is going off. What three things do you grab before you leave?

United States
June 8, 2010 10:33pm CST
You're sleeping. The fire alarm goes off. You smell smoke. You instantly become aware there is a fire and call 911. What three things do you grab before you evacuate your home? Why?
4 people like this
20 responses
• United States
9 Jun 10
Since I have no children living at home and no pets to care for, I would have to say first thing I would grab would be a cover-up, as I sleep in a nighty and usually not decent to be on the street with. Second thing would be my purse. Naturally identifications, would be necessary to file the police report and the third thing would be my laptop. I will need to research several things after the fire. Oh and of course to be able to keep in touch with myLot friends.. All fun and good, but I suppose it depends on the severity of the fire, maybe I will just run, run and run out the door with absolutely nothing.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 10
I can see your discussion now. 'I'M STANDING OUTSIDE MY HOUSE BECAUSE IT'S ON FIRE!' And as you're typing to people on myLot, your house will be ablaze and the fire department will be trying to put it out. Just kidding!
• United States
10 Jun 10
You that would make for several different points of view in discussions. I suppose the key would be what the heck are you doing typing, get that fire situation under control, ya silly. LOL
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
9 Jun 10
Hi, StephanieAnnC. I would grab my purse, because this has everything in it that identifies me and my kids and family. I will grab all three of my children. I can't think of anything else to grab. I would be mainly focused on running for my life.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 10
I understand. I would be thinking the same thing! 'Where the kids? WE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW!'
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Jun 10
I would wake my husband up and find the cat, I would grab a bag real fast and put our purse, wallet, and change jars in that. We would quickly do this and wake up his parents, we'd get the chihuahua's and grab one of our cellphones. Then we'd get out of the house and call the fire department. Luckily the volunteer fire dept is only three minutes down the road.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jun 10
Yes so much to grab, but we'd want to have money atleast as it'd be easier to have the money, and of course we'd grab our animals. Before I met my husband he told me of a time that there was a tree on fire that they could see from the house, they called the neighbors and the fire department. We have great neighbors, so if they see anything amiss they'll be sure to let us know.
• United States
9 Jun 10
That's good that you have a volunteer fire department not far from your home!You have so much to grab! I'd grab as many lives as I can, my purse and a robe. That's pretty much it.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
9 Jun 10
1st, my credit card, becuase it is important to have money on your pocket even though u almost lose everything. 2nd jewelry, becuase u can sell it on pawnshop if you dont have anything to use. 3rd my clothes, i think this is important too right? no need to ask. but above all that, the lives of everyone who is living in your house.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jun 10
I'd skip the jewelry. I really don't wear much jewelry and I don't find it that important to me. I would grab the important documents instead and definitely wallet. I probably won't grab my clothes though. If I did, it'd be 2 shirts I yanked off their hangers and ran out with.
• United States
9 Jun 10
I wouldn't try to get anything until I know that everyone is out of the house safely. If I get the chance I'll probably grab photo albums because they have all of the families memories.
1 person likes this
@qianyun6 (2067)
• China
9 Jun 10
Firstly, hydrant or extinguisher. They can help me survive myself. Secondly, clothes. They can keep my energy after evacuating. Thirdly, money or bankcards near my hand. After the disaster, I must continue my life before the next payday. Wish everybody never need to consider this, Happy Lotting!
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
9 Jun 10
Hi StephanieAnnC, I would grab my child and then my pets and then on the way out grab my handbag as it would have phone keys and mioney in etc. I have infact been evacuated out of my house in the middle of the night before but not due to fire and I also remebered to put a dressinggown on as didn't want to shock the neighbours with my naked body lol. Huggles. Ellie :D
@ellie333 (21016)
9 Jun 10
There was an armed guy on the top of the roof of our building - he had already forced he way into the topapartment and through their loft onto the roof, the police wanted to make sure everyone was outof the building and safe place whilethey got him down. Frightening at the time. Huggles. Ellie :D
• United States
9 Jun 10
Good idea you put on some clothes! LOL Why were you evacuated from your home in the middle of the night?
1 person likes this
@reene0225 (351)
• United States
17 Jun 10
I would grab my son, the cell phone and the camera. My son for obvious reasons. The phone to call 911 and the camera because it has all of my sons pictures on it and you just can't get those memories back.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
11 Jun 10
well we have fire extinguishers, so i will grab that first. after you call 911 you can try to put out the fire youself, it might be a false alarm, burning because of cooking and such and not assume that because there's fire all hell will break loose well i for one have experience with fire, one of the burners "backfired" igniting the open gas burners and realeasing a tower of flame. A lot of people rushed to the door, some cried some frozen because of shock but me the first thing i have done is to put out the fuel of the fire. I am not being a hero but common sense and right judgement in an emergency will save lives even properties.
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 10
My first thought - drag anyone that were with me at that moment out. When we're outside then I probably start remembering things better and remember that I have leave the the valuables behind. I guess it's probably too late to go back for that by then. I probably won't remember to call 911, someone else need to do that for me by then.
• United States
9 Jun 10
I agree. I'd feel like I'd be in such a panic too and forget to grab important documents and such. I'd rather protect my family though.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
9 Jun 10
Before I grab those three thing I would have awaken everyone in the house to make sure they all get out in time. OMG the three things I grab would be my dog, my pocketbook and probably have to put on a robe. The most important besides the people are the animals and for me my pocketbook with all my info inside.
• United States
9 Jun 10
Agreed. Animals are almost as important as people because they're alive as wel. I might need to put on a robe as well, if I was awakened.
@ann101 (518)
• China
11 Jun 10
My husband and my daughter and my cell phone.No things can be more important than loved ones,and with the cell phone I won't lose communication of my dear friends.
• Philippines
9 Jun 10
First I wouid grab my shoulder bag which has a lot of the important things that I need daily -- ID's, important documents and my bank card. I need all those documents and money just in case my house burns down completely. That's all I'm gonna try to grab if there's fire. The next thing I'd do is to check on my family to make sure that they are safe. Once we are safe and it's still possible to save things, I'm going to spread a blanket on the floor and throw all the other important things in it, tie it in a bundle and run out of the house.
• United States
9 Jun 10
I agree with you one hundred percent. Family and important documents are the most important things to grab. Money would probably the next important on my list.
@pooja30 (203)
• India
9 Jun 10
Three things I'd grab before running out of the house would be my phone, my wallet and my laptop, if I could. That way I'd have everything I need to start back up again. But if any of these things came in the way of getting my family out first, then I'd give them all up in a heartbeat. First get my mom and grandmom out of the house and then think about anything I own, in my opinion :)
• United States
9 Jun 10
Yes, family does come before material items. A wallet is pretty important though. It has everything about you in it! You surely don't want to lose that!
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
9 Jun 10
My son, my puppies and the filing drawer with our important paperwork in it..
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
9 Jun 10
This is tough, I know my Son would be the 1 thing, I grabbed because it is my responsibility to care for, nourish and Protect him. The next two depend on the season, clothes though, I never sleep with clothes on, so I would need those for legal and weather reasons, and then in winter, I think I would take a blanket with me, and in summer...I really have no idea. A book or something. Sincerely and With Appreciation.
• China
9 Jun 10
The three things that i would like to do is one will be i will take the QURAN first second i will take my ATM card,passport and ID and third i will ask my friend room mate to run from there. As all are important for my life. As i am muslim i should protect the QURAN which is more important then my life.
@juggerogre (1653)
• Philippines
9 Jun 10
Three things: 1. Cellphone - so my family and love ones can still contact me and they can be sure I'm perfectly fine. 2. Wallet - It contains my ATM card, credit card and IDs. Everyone needs all (maybe except the credit card) of these things. We can't possibly survive without money after a fire broke out. 3. Important documents if any - its really really important to get important documents that we have.
@Jacobus1919 (1683)
• Philippines
9 Jun 10
First, A bag of clothes, My wallet, Important Papers, the cash I have been stashing, My laptop, Car keys, and other stuff I can carry.
• Philippines
9 Jun 10
My dogs, my cell phone and my wallet... My cell phone so I can call for other help. My wallet so I can have all my ID's. My two dogs cause they are so dear to me...