It just takes a few seconds to destroy what has been built up over a lifetime. Everyday, children are caught striking matches, playing with fire, or tipping over electrical heating units. Needless to say, it is a very sad situation when children are left alone, unsupervised. Fire is a friend if used properly. But, it is deadly when it is out of control, and not set for the right purpose. Especially, when there is a child involved. Children are curious and want to know how it works. They are fascinated with the way it looks and lights up.
I recall years ago when I was oh about 6 or 7 maybe. I was in my mother's bedroom striking matches and watching them burn. Why I chose her bedroom, I don't know. But there I was, on the side of her nice big bed striking matches and fascinated at how they would ignite and fizz out. My mother, dear, hardworking Mom, was at work at the time. You know what happened?
Well, one of those match sparks decided it wasn't happy just burning on the matchstick. It somehow jumped onto the nice comforter my Mom had on her bed. It all happened so fast! Before I knew it, the bed was starting to be engulfed in fire. The bed was literally a fire damage mess. I ran to get a big bathroom towel and started hitting the fire repeatedly to try to put it out. The fire said, OK, I like towels too. It consumed the towel in seconds. I was horrified to say the least. What was I going to do? The smoke filled the room so quickly!
Before I knew it there was a full blaze and the bed was usable no more. I was going to be in a heap of trouble. As this is racing through my mind, the fire department showed up and extended a ladder up to the window after calling out to me. We were on the second floor of the apartment building. They came up the ladder, grabbed me and gently put me down. Fire damage restoration is not a happy thing. All your valuables kept for years just goes up in flames and smoke all at once, never to be used again.
There I stood. Watching the firemen do their thing. Thankful that they were close enough to get there in time to save our place. It is ironic that I'm in the cleanup business now doing that very same thing. Handling water damage, flood cleanups and fire damage cleanups too. I guess I learned my lesson because I never did that again!
Now, you're probably wondering what did his Mom do when she found out?
As I recall, she came home gave me that look when they call your full name. And then she promptly said well, I guess you will be sleeping on the floor now, because I'm taking your bed. And I thought Wow, is that all? But, I eventually ended up missing my bed and hating to sleep on a makeshift mattress on the floor. A lesson well deserved. Thanks Mom for that object lesson. So, kids never, ever play with fire. Never use it unsupervised. Always make sure there is an adult present. Namely, Mom or Dad. You don't want to have to get a terrible punishment or worse, sleep on the floor like I did.
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