Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

More specifically, could you get everyone out of the house, blindfolded, in under a minute?

176 replies

Nimbostratus100 · 01/03/2023 07:17

Following on from the emergency thread... (yes I have let the police in without the washing up being done in the past - no - no one cared...)

If your house was filled with smoke, and you couldn't see or breathe in - could you get out?

This mostly means, can you put your hand on the door or window key right now, with your eyes closed, and does everyone know where to meet up?

( lives have been lost when everyone is safely out, but someone is missing and a relative returns to a burning building to look for them, not knowing they were already safe)

I think this is important - if you have to get out of the house blind, before you next breathe in - do you have an emergency key in a fixed place you can put your hand straight on now without thinking?

OP posts:
Mangledrake · 01/03/2023 07:20

Key in the front door is the only arrangement I'm happy with.

GoodChat · 01/03/2023 07:20

I can't even go to the toilet in the night without walking into a door/wall.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2023 07:21

Yes, our key is kept in the back door at all times for this exact reason.

GrilledCheeseTomatoSoup · 01/03/2023 07:21

Our key is always in the front door anyway. Could get out blindfolded, have enough practice when I walk round without glasses!

Timeforachangeisitnot · 01/03/2023 07:22

Yes, and I have emergency slip leads and torches by the bed to drag the dogs with me. A friend is a fireman, and he has to deal with some dreadful scenes.

doublechocolatedigestives · 01/03/2023 07:22

My key is always in the front door anyway. We come in and lock it and it just hangs there.
I've lived here 16 years so I know my way around in the dark.
I'd have to get my kids first but my 11 year old DS is so slow I don't think we would make it out in a minute

Dogsitterwoes · 01/03/2023 07:23

I don't need the key to open my current doors, but when I did, I would leave them in the door overnight.

Original poster
Nimbostratus100 · 01/03/2023 07:23

Mangledrake · 01/03/2023 07:20

Key in the front door is the only arrangement I'm happy with.

We have a key down the side of the stair carpet between the carpet and the banister on the bottom stair, right by the front door, It takes roughly 2 seconds to locate and pull out. It can't slip right under the carpet, it is far too big, but it is out of sight .

OP posts:
octoberafternoons · 01/03/2023 07:24

Yes the key is on a hook near the door but not so near a burglar could fish it out through the letterbox!

My biggest problem would be the cats though, no way I could catch them and get into carriers. 😰

Original poster
Nimbostratus100 · 01/03/2023 07:24

Timeforachangeisitnot · 01/03/2023 07:22

Yes, and I have emergency slip leads and torches by the bed to drag the dogs with me. A friend is a fireman, and he has to deal with some dreadful scenes.

Does your friend have any other advice?

OP posts:
Okunevo · 01/03/2023 07:25

I don't need to find a key to leave my house

Original poster
Nimbostratus100 · 01/03/2023 07:26

octoberafternoons · 01/03/2023 07:24

Yes the key is on a hook near the door but not so near a burglar could fish it out through the letterbox!

My biggest problem would be the cats though, no way I could catch them and get into carriers. 😰

We had a fire once, and I was terrified my son was going to return for his cat... thankfully it was quickly under control, and cat was fine, but in a bad situation, I'm afraid the cats are going to have to get themselves out.

OP posts:
Wanttothrivenotsurvive · 01/03/2023 07:26

My dad is a retired fireman so I have been brought up with fire safety. We leave keys in the doors (front and back) keys in the windows and we have also practiced escaping too.

SellFridges · 01/03/2023 07:27

We have a door with a twistable lock on the inside. I think it’s called a thumb turn, so no key required from the inside.

WiltingLobelia · 01/03/2023 07:27

I think so yes. Both the cats are always in their same spots in the day and night so I think that might make us a bit slower grabbing them- but I think we could do it.

May I just say- my childhood best friend died in a house fire when we were about 11. She and her entire family were out safe but she (without her parents knowledge in the panic) went back in to try and find their dog. The dog was out and at the neighbours. But she died. It was so dreadful.

I have told my DCs very firmly that if they are out of a building on fire or one where there is a carbon monoxide alarm going off to never EVER go back in.

soleilblue · 01/03/2023 07:27

The door yes. The emergancy windows not so sure. I can't really practice though as they are for use with a ladder/dropping down with arms and breaking your leg.

Ludo19 · 01/03/2023 07:27

Well I'll just burn because I'm not leaving my cats.

FourBoysAndAFeline · 01/03/2023 07:27

unfortunately, children are known to hide under beds or in cupboards when scared of smoke or fire, so may not always be that simple.
And breathing in the smoke is another issue.
and having several family members in a large house, another issue.

I have a fire extinguisher and the key is close to the door, but not too close someone could use it to enter.

Thanks fully, 50% of us have a window we could climb straight out of.

WiltingLobelia · 01/03/2023 07:27

Oh- sorry cross posted with you OP.

FrenchFancie · 01/03/2023 07:27

Yes, although DH insists on leaving the key on the side so I might struggle a bit. No chance to get the cats, but I think they’d have enough sense to leg it!

Margo34 · 01/03/2023 07:27

Okunevo · 01/03/2023 07:25

I don't need to find a key to leave my house

Same.

I'd be able to find the doors and windows to open from inside our house with eyes closed. However, built in safety catches (child locks?) on the big sash windows means it takes an age to open, needs 2 hands and some strength. Installed by previous owners. These are the only windows that a person would fit through when fully opened!

Original poster
Nimbostratus100 · 01/03/2023 07:28

WiltingLobelia · 01/03/2023 07:27

I think so yes. Both the cats are always in their same spots in the day and night so I think that might make us a bit slower grabbing them- but I think we could do it.

May I just say- my childhood best friend died in a house fire when we were about 11. She and her entire family were out safe but she (without her parents knowledge in the panic) went back in to try and find their dog. The dog was out and at the neighbours. But she died. It was so dreadful.

I have told my DCs very firmly that if they are out of a building on fire or one where there is a carbon monoxide alarm going off to never EVER go back in.

O that is so terrible, poor girl, poor family

OP posts:
Okunevo · 01/03/2023 07:29

My back door key is in the lock, invisible from outside. My dgm locks up properly each night which worries me if there was a fire and she dropped the key but I guess the intruder vs fire risk may be different for her.

soleilblue · 01/03/2023 07:31

Just realised DH won't fit through the window. I'll make him practise the door way.

The6thQueen · 01/03/2023 07:32

My dad is an ex-fireman. Our children have known the various routes out of the house, both to do independently and with us, since they were tiny. All windows have keys next to them. Doors have keys left in the locks at night (no letterbox so no stealing).
We know to shut doors to reduce smoke effects, crawl along the floor rather than walk and take the easiest, safest path.
Dog leashes is a good idea next to the bed though, think I’ll do that.