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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:
sashh · 31/03/2022 03:29

I'm in the process of getting CCTV.

I have a smoke detector and I'm waiting for the fire service to get me a carbon monoxide detector.

I also have first aid kits, one in the car and a mini one in my handbag.

I also have a pulse oximeter, thermometers, stethoscope and sphyg - but that's from my days of teaching health and social care.

I don't have fire extinguishers, I have thought about it but due to disability I might not be able to use one and I'm in a bungalow so getting out shouldn't be too hard.

FelicityFlops · 31/03/2022 05:27

Nothing much.
I could rustle up some elastoplast and TCP. I do have the required first aid kit in my car - and people are right, the kits do go out of date.
No smoke or fire alarms or cctv or anything like that. Mind you, my house is so damp I don't see how it could catch fire in the first place.

lottie222 · 31/03/2022 05:33

We have nearly everything. Alarm ( linked to police) ring camera and nest, carbon dioxide alarm, fire alarm. Bolt locks, locks on windows and we also have panic alarms linked directly to the police station upstairs and downstairs.

WizzardPjs · 31/03/2022 07:14

@lottie222

We have nearly everything. Alarm ( linked to police) ring camera and nest, carbon dioxide alarm, fire alarm. Bolt locks, locks on windows and we also have panic alarms linked directly to the police station upstairs and downstairs.
Now you’re going to have everyone shitting themselves that you have a carbon dioxide alarm and not a carbon monoxide alarm.
Katkincake · 31/03/2022 07:15

I’m an emergency planner. I have most things already mentioned, plus a few extra things prompted by the scenarios I have to plan (water treatment products and solar / wind up radio, plus we always have a decent supply of tins / dry goods in).

We’re a bit crap on the security side of things though, old fashioned mortice lock front door and a non functioning burglar alarm.

Sgtmajormummy · 31/03/2022 07:33

Motion sensor camera (bought for watching the dog but could be useful as a security device)
Fire extinguisher in the store room and fire blanket in the kitchen
First aid supplies and instruction booklet, also in the car
A wall safe.

Spy hole in the door and very creaky floorboards. Nobody could tiptoe through our house without us noticing!

Selttan · 31/03/2022 07:38

I have two smoke alarms (mandatory where I'm from).
Fire blanket in the kitchen
Alarm system
Video intercom
Indoor camera but that's to monitor my cats when I'm not home (I thought they were having wild parties, nope they just sleep).

lottie222 · 31/03/2022 08:25

Hahah @WizzardPjs sorry way to early for my brain to function Brew

Madmaxxy · 31/03/2022 10:29

My childhood home would have burnt to the ground in the middle of the night if it weren't for the mini fire extinguisher we had. (Flames caught just before reaching thatched roof) Thanks for reminding me I need to get one for my home now :)

yummychoccy · 31/03/2022 10:34

We have smoke, heat alarms. Co2 detectors.

We do have a fire extinguisher and blanket downstairs.

I also make sure key is in back door as although this makes it less safe for burglaries, it would be easier to get out if needed due to fire.

A family members house burnt down a few years ago so a bit more aware of fire safety plus have taken courses with work.

Just because others don't have fire extinguishers or blankets in their homes doesn't mean that's the right thing - your safety measures sound sensible to me.

TheOrigRights · 31/03/2022 10:39

@MuchTooTired

We’ve got an alarm system that goes through to the police with panic alarms, and a built in smoke/co2/fire alarm sensor which goes straight through to the fire dept. It saved my life when I was a teenager.

Have a loose idea of a plan in the event of a fire and/or burglary (mainly get the hell out!) and a slightly stocked up medical cabinet with our usual bits we need.

No fire blankets/extinguishers, because getting us all out of the house will be tricky enough and I don’t want to get trapped fighting a fire.

Wow, that must have been scary for you.

Surely a fire blanket thrown over say a flaming oven glove would mitigate the need for you all to get out of the house though.

TheOrigRights · 31/03/2022 10:44

I do periodically go over the evacuation plan with the kids, especially what to do if they cannot get out of their bedroom (block the space under the door, how to exit from the window), or if they can't get downstairs but can get to my bedroom on the front (to call for help).

dustyparadeground · 31/03/2022 17:38

I brought home a fire extinguisher as I had a spare from work (exhibitions) wife thought I was mad! However I think all of you with fire blankets and fire extinguishers are being v v sensible.

LoisLane66 · 31/03/2022 17:45

Smoke alarms and that's it.

Motion activated security light which stays on for about 4-5 minutes but no camera.
Normal doorbell and metal knocker.
No CO2 thingy as the gas engineer who does annual gas check said with the combi boiler being where it is, any fumes would go outside.
It's not an easily found address and no public access except for postie and deliveries.

Booboobagins · 31/03/2022 17:48

@tootoasty

Maybe I took that fire Officer course I did a bit too much to heart Confused
I have fire extinguishers and blankets. I was also considering one if those rope ladders cos we're in a 3 storey house.

What you have us not OTT, you're managing a risk. Local fire brigade love people like us Grin

NannaKaren · 31/03/2022 17:53

I spent longer than I should have wondering if cow detectors were a thing.

Lol lol lol …me too🙈

Mary54 · 31/03/2022 18:04

Smoke alarms, first aid kits (one in house plus the legally required one in each car) and shutters. Never really thought of them in terms of safety as they are considered normal where we live. But ours have electric motors and are on smart home with voice control so I could ask the system to shut everything down very quickly

Cinnamonhazelnut · 31/03/2022 18:04

EVERYTHING.
Security to the point my friends have started referring to my house as:
"Fort Cinnamonhazelnut"
Alarms, cameras, doorbells, the works.
I live alone... you can't be too careful.

LpPp · 31/03/2022 18:05

Ring doorbell, window alarms, police issued panic alarm, cctv in back garden, arson proof letter box, smoke alarms…

But my ex keeps is a lunatic whos been threatening to kill me for 10 years so we do actually need this stuff. If it wasn’t for him
We’d probably have a ring doorbell and that’s it 😂

wentworthinmate · 31/03/2022 18:15

Smoke alarms (wired to mains) and plasters.

Theflying19 · 31/03/2022 18:22

We have one fire blanket in the kitchen, one carbon monoxide alarm in the living room as we have a stove, and wired smoke alarms in every room including bedrooms (unusual building regs requirement). That is it

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 31/03/2022 18:23

Smoke alarms, co2 detector, not a first aid kit proper but I have plasters etc, peep hole, security chain.
That said, ds had a small kitchen fire in his flat, which he put out with a fire blanket, and probably saved it being a lot worse. So I do think they’re a good idea.

Chattydoll · 31/03/2022 18:32

We have an alarm, first aid kit, smoke detectors on every floor, carbon monoxide detectors in the kitchen & bedrooms plus fire extinguishers / fire blankets in kitchen and upstairs. I had a house fire when I was young and it was terrifying so having these honestly helps with my anxiety about fires etc.

DogsAndGin · 31/03/2022 18:33

Cameras everywhere. Alarms. Fire extinguisher. Insurance

Lincslady53 · 31/03/2022 18:33

Smoke detectors up and down, heavy duty front door with good locks on all doors, a good insurance policy.