When there´s a big problem I never think in the moment.
By marguicha
@marguicha (223720)
Chile
April 7, 2023 12:43pm CST
I have been pondering about all the easy things I could have done instead of behaving like a dumb old lady at the time of the fire.
Even movies and serials give you ideas and our basic knowledge of chemistry could help us too.
today, as I closed my eyes again and visualized alll that happened yesterday, I knew that if I had only thought abough getting a couple of blankets and rugs out of my closet and thrown them over the fire, maybe I would not even have needed the aid of the firemen. And the smell would not be so bad because I am sure that that smell comes from many burned plastic things that could have been spared.
I learned when I was a child that a fire could be turned off by just stopping oxigen (air) from coming in. A rug or thick blanket would have helped.
But as there was smoke I opened doors and windows. DUMB!!!
@shaggin wrote to me that she had 2 extinguishers as the insurance money was less if she had them. But she also told me that she did not know how to use them. Dear lotters, I would not know how to use them either. But now I will buy one and I will learn how to use them. You never know.
When I was young I learnt that I had to stay by the stove when I has heating milk. One look in the wrong direction and the milk would spill.
Now I learned that if I am cooking, I AM COOKING! PERIOD! It is either gardening or heating a pot.
I am telling you this because I would not want you to have this happen to you. 
When I was young I learnt that I had to stay by the stove when I has heating milk. One look in the wrong direction and the milk would spill.
Now I learned that if I am cooking, I AM COOKING! PERIOD! It is either gardening or heating a pot.
I am telling you this because I would not want you to have this happen to you. 14 people like this
13 responses
@shaggin (72183)
• United States
8 Apr 23
I actually did say that we have two that I don’t know how to work but I didn’t say about the insurance. I’m thinking if your stress you are confusing me and someone else here . I wouldn’t have thought to throw a blanket over it. I know @Judyev has fire blankets for that reason
. I wouldn’t have thought to throw a blanket over it. I know @Judyev has fire blankets for that reason2 people like this
@rakski (125761)
• Philippines
8 Apr 23
As we age, we tend to forget things once in a while or perhaps more.
Almost happened to me once because I was busy doing other things. Almost burn the food but good thing I did not. From then on, if I am cooking, I should be in the area of the kitchen and never be in another place else.
Almost happened to me once because I was busy doing other things. Almost burn the food but good thing I did not. From then on, if I am cooking, I should be in the area of the kitchen and never be in another place else.1 person likes this
@rakski (125761)
• Philippines
9 Apr 23
@marguicha we tend to forget sometimes. Just always be careful from now on
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
7 Apr 23
Don't be so hard on yourself, the fact that you are OK is the important thing. It's hard to think everything through fast enough in the moment, especially when you know you have to do something right away. I have a small fire extinguisher but could not even tell you if it is still good, and I'd have to read the directions, would probably die while figuring out how to use it. I've had a couple of minor mishaps over the years that could have escalated quickly and I just got lucky (hence why I bought the fire extinguisher after the last time!).
Glad you are OK, that's what's important!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137553)
• India
8 Apr 23
In such circumstances one stops thinking and that happened to you. It's OK Lesson learnt and you taught myLotters too.
@wolfgirl569 (107859)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Apr 23
No amount of knowing what to do can change the surprise and shock when something happens. Still just glad you are ok
@LindaOHio (181188)
• United States
22 Apr 23
We have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen; but it hasn't been checked for years. We also have a smoke alarm in addition to our security system. Next time you will know what to do.
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Apr 23
Multi-tasking is not the way to go when cooking. Hard to keep track.
@vandana7 (100526)
• India
7 Apr 23
Hugs back at ya. First, don't beat yourself about that blanket thing.... you did well to call fire fighters. Blankets may not be sufficient to extinguish the fire if the oxygen is also coming from beneath the stove as it comes in ours. Second...opening the windows...I would say may at times be necessary lest smoke chokes us down. Water of India is the best sorry in your case Water of Chile. You did well...the smell will go away after a few days. I put the stove on sim and forget about it...no major disaster happens.
@RebeccasFarm (90295)
• Arvada, Colorado
8 Apr 23
But you see when these things happen, sometimes even what you learned is gone as you are panic.
You are not dumb..you did not burn!!
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Apr 23
The most important thing is that you were not hurt and are all right. Also, the entire house did not burn down, So I hope everything will be able to be fixed up and you can be back at your house. I have no stove here so I bake in a toaster oven that has a timer that dings when food is ready, When I put something to fry or heat on my hot plate I always keep checking how things are going but sometimes have burned some food,
@JudyEv (341742)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 23
Thanks for the advice and it is very good advice. It's too easy to get distracted if you start doing too many things at once.
@MarieCoyle (38564)
•
7 Apr 23
Yes, we have always had fire extinguishers in our home, as I told you a family member lost their house to a fire so we were careful. It is not hard to use one, it's a pull the metal pin from the handle, aim, and spray. You need to have it wall mounted, and handy in your kitchen. We have only used an extinguisher one time, our outdoor gas grill had a bad problem and the fire spread quickly, but grabbed the extinguisher and it all worked out. It was close to the house so we were anxious to get the fire out quickly.
I really hope you have lots of help, the damage isn't bad, and you can go back home, as I know you want to, I would want to do the same.
