After The Fire

Marion and Doug Dawirs are back home and I asked them "What did you learn from the evacuation?"

Debriefing after a fire or any disaster is a must. There are things you could've done, things you should not have done.

After returning home, Marion sat down and wrote out a list, she calls it the Grab-n-Go list.

PACK
"¢ important documents (insurance policy, passports, birth certificates, tax records, medical records, etc.) *
"¢ list of emergency phone numbers
"¢ pet(s)
"¢ pet stuff (food, leash, crate, toy, bowl)
"¢ prescribed medications
"¢ computers and backup drives
"¢ flashlight
"¢ toiletries
"¢ bottled water
"¢ clothes for a couple days
"¢ spare house keys (to give to others who may gain access to house in your stead)
"¢ personal items that insurance can't, or won't, replace. For us that included original artwork, pictures, jewelry, wedding dresses, china, holiday decorations (collected over decades), letters, quilts, and memorabilia of when our girls were, well, girls.

DO
"¢ if your car is in a garage or if you live behind an electric gate, open both in case the power is shut off
"¢ close all doors and windows
"¢ bring flammable patio furniture indoors
"¢ turn off gas
"¢ close all heavy window coverings
"¢ take pictures/video of all rooms, closets, cupboards, garage, and storage sheds *
"¢ fill and cover pots of water (in case water supply becomes contaminated while you're gone)

* Storing all your important papers in one place and taking photos/videos of your home is a preparation you can do now in case of an emergency where you might have little time to prepare.

Photo: Doug Dawirs