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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you have at home

557 replies

tootoasty · 30/03/2022 07:21

Was talking with a colleagues yesterday about safety devises at home and they made out that I was kind of over the top with things I have.
They got the house alarm and ring cameras for security outside and things like first aid kits and co2 thingy but started laughing when I told them I had fire extinguishers upstairs and downstairs, with fire blankets in kitchen.
Just wondered what people have in their homes. I'd assumed everyone would have everything they could Hmm

OP posts:
etulosba · 30/03/2022 10:16

What's the Co 2 detector for if you don't have anything that produces it.... Confused

Everybody has something that produces it… their lungs. It’s a natural, and normally harmless, byproduct of breathing.

DaisyDozyDee · 30/03/2022 10:16

We have smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide alarm. We also have a carbon dioxide monitor for random geekiness reasons.
We have a fire blanket in the kitchen and an escape hammer in the one room that doesn’t have a window you could climb out of. We have a first aid kit and basic medical supplies (including blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter).
We had an inter school safety quiz when I was about 10 and I’ve been naturally cautious ever since. Also, I tend to respond to every stressful incident by working out what would make it less stressful if it were to happen again and will happily chuck a few quid at a problem if it means I no longer have to worry about it.

poshme · 30/03/2022 10:16

@JudgeRindersMinder I'm not sure it's ridiculous actually.

A close family member of mine was killed by CO gas. Went to bed, and just died.

They cost about £15-£20. Why wouldn't you get one? CO doesn't smell, you don't know it's there. It just kills you.

pussycatunpickingcrossesagain · 30/03/2022 10:17

I forgot about the golf club (3 wood) behind the bedroom door...you never know 😇⛳🐯

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 30/03/2022 10:17

I don’t have a ring doorbell, but I have everything else mentioned in the OP’s post. I also have a fire extinguisher in the car.

DieZensur · 30/03/2022 10:18

Smoke alarms
Carbon monoxide alarm (open fire)
Two shoe boxes containing random items (plasters, Germolene, cough medicine which expired in 2014 - that kind of thing)

I think that's it.

JangolinaPitt · 30/03/2022 10:18

Have just moved into a new home and have none of those. Will probably get a smoke detector and C02 but the rest seems massively over he top.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 30/03/2022 10:19

We have smoke detectors. And a co2 detector.
We disabled the burglar alarm, low risk area and more trouble than it is worth. (Told the insurance company).
That's it really. We don't deep fry food so can't see the need for a fire blanket. No one smokes.

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 30/03/2022 10:19

@etulosba

What's the Co 2 detector for if you don't have anything that produces it.... Confused

Everybody has something that produces it… their lungs. It’s a natural, and normally harmless, byproduct of breathing.

The detector you must have in your home is a CO detector - carbon monoxide, not CO2 which is carbon dioxide.
Onlyforcake · 30/03/2022 10:20

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire blanket in kitchen. One fire extinguisher by the stairs. No ring doorbell. I do wear a bodycam for cycling though, Which some think is a bit much. I'm a lot more concerned about fire safety than I am about our stuff.

LatteToday · 30/03/2022 10:21

@bunfighters how do I live? What do you mean? I live with some extra security features at my home due to my DH job.

LuluBlakey1 · 30/03/2022 10:21

Carbon monoxide detectors and a drawer with medication, germolene and plasters in it.

JangolinaPitt · 30/03/2022 10:21

A neighbour tutted recently about how U go out snd leave my (upstairs) windows open… I’d hate to live a life in fear of everything like that.

TOADfan · 30/03/2022 10:23

We have some plasters but only after I cut open my finger and realised we didn't have any and had to use kitchen roll and a sticker 😂
We do have 1 smoke alarm but it's still got the plastic on it and I don't know if it works.

UniversalAunt · 30/03/2022 10:23

‘I did have my house reworked when I first moved it so i know the electrics are safe.’

This.

As serial house do-uppers,, my parents* had wiring updated. Granted at that time some of the existing wiring would have been museum grade & would now not be allowed as safety standards are that much higher.

*safety/accident prevention minded as in medical & building sectors - seen & briefed about too many domestic disasters.

UK fondness for DIY means that some electrical work may be a bit Ho-hum. I am surprised how few people have house wiring checked/replaced when buying. Maybe a discretionary spend too far?

etulosba · 30/03/2022 10:23

The detector you must have in your home is a CO detector - carbon monoxide, not CO2 which is carbon dioxide.

I know, but the small but vital difference seems to be lost on a lot of people.

DuckaLucka · 30/03/2022 10:23

Smoke alarms, ring doorbell, outdoor cctv, house alarm.

RewildingAmbridge · 30/03/2022 10:23

CCTV , smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detector/alarm (log burner) and usually some plasters medicines etc but not a formal first aid kit

DuckaLucka · 30/03/2022 10:24

Oh and a carbon monoxide monitor.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 30/03/2022 10:25

I know it seems really pedantic but it is relevant to differentiate between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide monitors. Both exist - carbon dioxide monitors are apparently used to monitor ventilation but I would have thought that most people on here are referring to CO monitors.

Sweeterthantheroses · 30/03/2022 10:25

Smoke detectors
CO2 detector
Fire blanket in kitchen
First Aid kit

Drawer with torches, head torches etc for power cuts

Sandbags and tarpaulins and elbow length rubber gloves in garage
Box of batteries
Stack of plastic crates to move things quickly in case of flood
Crate of tins of food which could be eaten cold from the tin (tinned fruit etc)

Natsku · 30/03/2022 10:25

@LatteToday one step ahead of you with the fire bomb proof letter box - don't have a letter box at all (have a box on the street instead, saves the postie going up driveways). No firebombs are getting in my house!

etulosba · 30/03/2022 10:26

A neighbour tutted recently about how U go out snd leave my (upstairs) windows open… I’d hate to live a life in fear of everything like that.

That reminds me of hearing somebody ranting on the Jeremy Vine show that Google Streetview made it possible for burglars to see when he had left his windows open.

OnTheBoardwalk · 30/03/2022 10:27

I'll admit I purchased a fire extinguisher on the back of the story of Jason Donovan in his underpants going to put a fire out use mg one

It's here ready for him to use if he's ever passing 😂

To be fair I’d not thought of getting one for the house until that point

LBFseBrom · 30/03/2022 10:27

I don't have burglar alarm or cctv but do have quite a few things. Unfortunately, as I am a hoarder, when I need something I can rarely find it and end up buying another. I sometimes think it's pointless me having anything :-).

If a burglar came here they'd have a hard job negotiating their way through the hall or the kitchen, never mind anywhere else, so would likely beat a hasty retreat.

It's good to have fire extinguishers and first aid kits (to hand), I certainly don't think you are OTT to have those.

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