Candles and a New Kitchen

Thought I would share and hopefully save someone else from experiencing what we went through about 7 years ago. As you can tell from the photos...we had a fire in our kitchen. It all started from a glade candle burning on the counter and somehow a handle from my scrapbooking bag that was sitting nearby.

 I had already gone to bed and my hubby had left the house to pick up a package for me from one of my friends house. My room is directly off the kitchen and living room so I wasn't far from it, but the problem was that I had a box fan on high and was sleeping soundly. Luckily, our house alarm went off in time and I was able to get my daughter and son out of the house. I went back in and decided that I would be able to put it out myself (huh!). I found the nearest fire extinguisher and broke it trying to get it working. We had another extinguisher out in the garage and while trying to get it working I ended up bending the handle (it was metal) since I was in a panic. 

After trying two extinguishers and breaking them I decided to try the water sprayer from the sink. Well, our water pressure isn't the best in there so that failed as well... so I grabbed bowls and started throwing water onto it. In the meantime the alarm company called and were sending a fire truck. I was able to call my in laws who live next door and they came over to help, but by this time I had gotten the fire out. 

So by the time the fire trucks got there I had already put the fire on the counter but failed to check the baskets that were in the pot rack. One of the firefighters noticed them smoldering and they got them out. My poor husband was terrified when he drove up and saw all the fire trucks in the yard. I'll never forget the look on his face. I was still running on adrenaline of course so I had not broken down at that point. My face was black and I had inhaled quite a bit of the smoke and fumes. 

So for three months... we lived with my in-laws while our whole house was cleaned and repainted. Every baby doll, toy, etc. had to be washed and wiped down from all the smoke damage. I had a difficult time with the what ifs afterward, but I was very thankful that God had protected me and my family and that we hadn't lost our house to the fire.

SO what can YOU and I  learn from all of this:

 

1. Never leave a candle burning at bedtime. In fact., whenever using a candle it may be a good idea to leave it on the stove .

2. Know how to use a fire extinguisher. Follow these rules (something we have to know for work)

PASS:   PULL, AIM, SQUEEZE, SWEEP

I will have to admit that we got a beautiful updated kitchen out of this horrible experience, although I would have rather of saved up for it!

Here is the after of my kitchen:

I love my Chefs Pantry!

My lazy susan in the corner cabinet.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

Appliance cabinet (or chip cabinet for us).