rw-we had some MAJOR excitement last night

Yeah my hubs was really bothered most NOT by him doing the burning but by him dropping it into the WORST possible place and then saying nothing about it...lol.

But we were thinking together and we thought WHY would he have done anything else? I mean we've gone blue in the face with both kids about FIRE=BAD but we haven't done doodly squat to tell them what TO do, if they ever are around it or worried about it...

I mean I do not honestly think even LILY would have thought to put the smouldering tissue...under the tap and turn it on...she might have screamed out for me...or dropped it and RAN...but put it OUT? No.

Elias honestly, really thought, he'd put it out...and he fed it instead LOL. He didn't tell us because there was nothing to tell...he took care of the problem (he thought).

But kids just can't KNOW what to do if we don't tell them. So yes we will be talking with BOTH about IF they or someone they play with/know, start a fire what exactly to do....including a greasy fire where water would really make things WORSE. I mean it's so much better if they JUST leave that stuff alone...but they are small, and they probably won't!

Gina, saw this on fb and told you we had a little fire years ago that scared the poo out of us both.  It was from lint in the drier.   I hope you are all feeling better.  I'm so glad that no one was hurt.

 I think many kids have a fascination with fire to some extent. I won't tell the whole story but my sister started a fire when she was five.  No one was hurt but it left a big impression on her.  I know she had no inkling of the consequences. 

rwbeagles

But kids just can't KNOW what to do if we don't tell them. So yes we will be talking with BOTH about IF they or someone they play with/know, start a fire what exactly to do....including a greasy fire where water would really make things WORSE. I mean it's so much better if they JUST leave that stuff alone...but they are small, and they probably won't!

Glad everything turned out OK ... but Gina, it's not just kids that do these types of things.  My dad once lit a match so he could see what was going on while he poked his head into a gas wall heater to check on why the pilot was off. The explosion (fortunately not big enough to blow up the house) blew him into the kitchen minus his eyelashes, eyebrows and a couple of inches of hair in front. He was OK, but it sure scared the bejeebers out of everyone else.

Joyce

Okay, I was able to finally get the link to work and read the story. Much scarier than I'd imagined and I commend you for keeping your head on straight Gina and your husband too. My heart aches for Eli cause I know how awful he must've felt and your take on his crying at your mom's was probably right on. Good for you for recognizing it and going to bring him home. It truly does sound like one crazy, scary night for you guys and I'm so glad no one was hurt. If there's any sangria left, I'll take a glass now ;)

 I've never had Sangria...is it good?

OH MY, Thank God nobody was hurt.  In cases like this time is of the essence and the fact that you got up off the coach when you did probably saved much of your house.  Another minute and the fire could have engulfed the whole bathroom or more maybe.

This is definetely one way for Eli to learn a lesson about fire.  I also had to learn the hard way when I was young.....and trust me...the lesson was learned!

cakana

If there's any sangria left, I'll take a glass now ;)

Major excitement is right....maybe a glass of sangria is just what the doctor ordered.

Again, thank god everybody is safe.

Johnny & Tessy

huskymom

I've never had Sangria...is it good?

Put it to ya like this...I don't even like wine...but I looooove Sangria. It's THAT good...esp when you make your own!!

 Whoa!  How do you make your own?  *scampers off to Google*

Back before I was *legal* we used to make it on the beach.  We'd just get a gallon jug of Gallo red and add sugar, assorted fruit juices and chunks of different fruit, naybe or maybe not something carbonated. I'm sure there are some real recipes out there now that are much better.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Back before I was *legal* we used to make it on the beach.  We'd just get a gallon jug of Gallo red and add sugar, assorted fruit juices and chunks of different fruit, naybe or maybe not something carbonated.

Ahhh...that brings back some great beach memories. I've come a long way from Gallo or Boones Farm to 2 Buck Chuck

cakana

Ahhh...that brings back some great beach memories. I've come a long way from Gallo or Boones Farm to 2 Buck Chuck

I don't remember too much about Boones Farm but Gallo has come a long way in the last 20/30 years.  I understand Gallo now makes some really superb wines - wines that can hold their own with any of them. It's not the *rotgut* it used to be. Still, I always manage to come home with a few bottles of 2 Buck Chuck.

Joyce

Holy Cow, Gina!  I'm so glad things turned out the way they did. I almost burned the house down on New Years Day a couple of years ago- set the stove on fire boiling water.  Yes- boiling a pot of water.

Hey- try those Glade flameless candles for "poopy bathroom smell".  We have one in each bathroom and one in the livingroom as well.

rwbeagles

But we were thinking together and we thought WHY would he have done anything else? I mean we've gone blue in the face with both kids about FIRE=BAD but we haven't done doodly squat to tell them what TO do, if they ever are around it or worried about it...

Bingo -- that's it exactly.  And you can't do anything else to start with --- because as tiny ones they can't mentally absorb "you put out a grease fire this way, but paper that way".

However -- now you have a golden excuse.  If you call your local fire department I'd bet you cold hard cash they HAVE a video for you to watch at home.  It's going to include stuff like family preparedness (what should Mom have done before opening the door and why *could* it have been even worse?) and even teaching them to drop and crawl out and how WOULD we get everyone out in an emergency? 

Changing little things -- like maybe having a spare SET of leashes that never ever get touched by the "first aid kit", or if you have a two-story house do you have a foldup ladder upstairs in case you can't get down a stairwell?

Not in fear but in "Man, let's ALL learn from this" and let the kids give suggestions. 

I'm a firm believer in being prepared.  and in teaching kids HOW to be prepared.  And what TO do.  Not just showing movies of burning buildings -- but rather things to do. 

rwbeagles

Elias honestly, really thought, he'd put it out...and he fed it instead LOL. He didn't tell us because there was nothing to tell...he took care of the problem (he thought).

Gina, we spend years trying to teach our kids to pick up their mess and put it IN THE TRASH.  I'd betcha HIS thot was "and I'd better not leave a mess or Mom'll have a fit!!  So I'll throw it away!"

Problem-solving and judgment are things we grow into (and some people never DO learn them). 

As I sit here and think tho,  another thot occurs to me.  I am an only child, but from a family where communication was paramount.  If you were going to be even five minutes late getting home CALL.  If you had to do something and it left a mess, or wet towels that might mildew or you used up ALL the towels or whatever ... it was *expected* to tell someone.

Because altho I might have gotten hassled for being brain dead enough to spill whatever in the first place, creating a mess that I *DID* clean up -- I wouldn't have gotten hassled at all for the work it generated IF I WARNED MY FOLKS.  If I came clean and said "I goofed and did _________, so that's why all the wet paper was in the trash"

BUT .. if I had *hidden* the fact that I made the mess, in addition to hiding what I originally did?  I'd have been too sore to sit down for three weeks (and yeah, my parents did get physical like that but this was 50+ years ago).  And my mother *would* eventually have found the "evidence" and I'd have been sorry.

And to a degree the kids have to learn to trust YOU on this one ... when they test the waters and come to you and say "Mom -- I did ______ but I cleaned up my mess"  then you have to grin and bear it and go check it out and let it slide because they DID 'fess up.

coping with a disaster like this isn't just the fallout and initial cleanup.  But building on it and teaching them judgment and better common sense is tough ... but obviously the discussion you and your husband have had shows you two really are *good* at understanding the reality of "hmm, he thot he DID take care of it" -- so kudos to you!!

Yikes Gina!! I'm so glad everyone and everything is okay!!!!

I agree, kids need to know not to do something, but also how to fix it if they do!  Usually, at least where i went to school, they would teach you about fire safety, how to make a fire family plan, where to go if something happens, a "safe spot" outside where the family would meet, etc.   Maybe call the kids' school and ask if they will have something like that?  Usually they get fire fighers to come in and teach it

But I'm so glad everyone is safe!