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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / June 2004Near Miss, Totally Scary
We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going to make one. My son got home from work and found smoke boiling out of his TV and computer. Every electrical appliance in the house, microwave, cable DSL modem, air conditioner, alarm clock, Playstation, TV, computer, everything--was fried. It seems a tree in the alley behind his house had grown into the electric cable, and eventually rubbed it bare. The wind whipped something causing a massive power surge to go through the house. But the most frightening thing was, Bosley was inside. I think another 15 minutes and the house would have been in flames. One reassuring thing is, my son said Bosley ran straight to him, very distressed and meowing. I was always afraid cats would hide somewhere in case of fire and the firemen wouldn't be able to find them. Anyway, the point of me even telling this is, is I just wanted to share how an absolute freak accident can happen. Even if you are always very careful, your house can still catch on fire. We were so lucky. Sherry > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but > am going to make one. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Sherry Whoa! Thank God you caught it in time! Wow, what a freaky thing to have happen. Damn tree. I'm glad you and your family (including Bosley!) are safe. Jill > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry Sherry!!!! Your poor son! I hope he had renters insurance. So glad it was not *worse*!!! Hugs. Karen >Sherry!!!! Your poor son! I hope he had renters insurance. So glad it was >not *worse*!!! Hugs. > >Karen No. Sigh. No renter's insurance. He can't even sue the landlord for negligence because the landlord is me. It's bad form to sue your mother. :-) Good news, though; the Humane Society had a huge rummage sale yesterday. He got a really nice stereo, TV and alarm clock! The interesting thing is, his generation has grown up with so many electronic gadgets. They can't function without computers, game machines, microwaves. We remember when those things didn't even exist! Sherry >> Sherry!!!! Your poor son! I hope he had renters insurance. So glad >> it was [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > negligence because the landlord is me. It's bad form to sue your > mother. :-) Not according to what I see on those daytime court TV shows! At any rate, renters insurance is an excellent idea. I think I pay somewhere around $600/year for full replacement cost insurance covering about $40K worth of "stuff". > Good news, though; the Humane Society had a huge rummage sale > yesterday. He got a really nice stereo, TV and alarm clock! [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Sherry I'd highly recommend he use those electronic gadgets to do some online searches for rental insurance rates. I recall our first microwave in 1971. Dad brought it back from Bangkok when he returned to the States. It was huge and wasn't good for anything but boiling a cup of water for instant coffee or steeping tea. Had a huge dial that went up to 60 minutes and no temperature settings. To this day I don't really use my microwave oven for anything but reheating stuff. Computers, OTOH, I couldn't live without. Granted I grew up without them but cannot imagine life now without. Jill >I'd highly recommend he use those electronic gadgets to do some online >searches for rental insurance rates. If you knew anything about today's economic climate for the average 21-year-old living on his own, not to mention the exhorbitant auto insurance rates they pay, you'd know why the majority of them don't shop for things like renter's insurance. Sherry >> I'd highly recommend he use those electronic gadgets to do some >> online searches for rental insurance rates. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Sherry I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound preachy. I full well remember earning only $1.65 plus tips when I was 21 and barely making my rent. My landlord wasn't my mother ;) Things haven't changed that much in 23 years. Jill >>> I'd highly recommend he use those electronic gadgets to do some >>> online searches for rental insurance rates. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >Jill Oh, I know that, Jill, I didn't think you were preachy. I am just very discouraged. Hindsight is always so clear! Sherry > >Sherry!!!! Your poor son! I hope he had renters insurance. So glad it was > >not *worse*!!! Hugs. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > gadgets. They can't function without computers, game machines, microwaves. We > remember when those things didn't even exist! Oh no, no insurance! That's too bad :-( But isn't it the electric company's responsibility to keep the tree branches trimmed around the power lines? Maybe he could sue them for new stuff? -- Britta Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock that's covered in fur! Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.anecdotes", "badwilson" <BW@yahoo.com> artfully composed this message within <news:2j1vv9FshdcmU1@uni-berlin.de> on 12 Jun 2004: > But isn't it the electric > company's responsibility to keep the tree branches trimmed > around the power lines? Last fall our area was hit with a hurricane that took down a lot of trees and with them, power lines and poles. During the restoration, some of us in my neighborhood kept the guys company and brought snacks, water, and juice to them. Engaged in conversation, and found out that they were pissed that NO, the power company can't trim trees that the city or county planted. It is the responsibility of the owners of the trees. Isn't that crazy??  SignatureCheryl >Oh no, no insurance! That's too bad :-( But isn't it the electric >company's responsibility to keep the tree branches trimmed around the power >lines? Maybe he could sue them for new stuff? >-- >Britta I think here, it is their responsibility if the tree is on city property, in alleys and such. But the tree was on our property, so it was our responsibility to keep it trimmed. D'oh. Another one of those life's lessons that you *never* forget. Sherry > I think here, it is their responsibility if the tree is on city property, in > alleys and such. But the tree was on our property, so it was our responsibility > to keep it trimmed. D'oh. Another one of those life's lessons that you *never* > forget. I'd be very surprised if that was the case. Here in Austin, they just come and trim all trees that are close to power lines, regardless of who they belong to. :( They usually let you know in advance so you can trim your own trees if you want. I would ask. Also, a good source of cheap nice stuff is your local thrift shop. We give a lot of stuff to one nearby that benefits an AIDS charity and they really have awesome things. SignatureVictor Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > >Oh no, no insurance! That's too bad :-( But isn't it the electric > >company's responsibility to keep the tree branches trimmed around the power [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Sherry Sherry, What part of the country are you in? I'm wanting to say Oklahoma but I can't remember. Anyway I am out on disability (I'm a cop and got hurt at work) and I build computers on the side. Not a business but for family, friends, and myself. I have a lot of time on my hands now so I am offering to build your son a computer at cost only. I know now a days you can buy a new one for just a little more than you can build one but some people like the idea of knowing what parts go into the computer. I'm just North of Dallas, Texas. If it's not too far and your son is interested, let me know. I don't mind it one bit and again it would cost him only for the parts that he wants. Bob SignatureFor once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth looking skyward,longing to be among the clouds. And in the end, on wheels we will depend. >What part of the country are you in? I'm wanting to say Oklahoma but >I can't remember. Anyway I am out on disability (I'm a cop and got hurt [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Bob Guys, read this post. Do you believe the generosity of this person?? This is such a wonderful group. Bob, check your e-mail, I just sent you a note. Thanks so much. Sherry > Guys, read this post. Do you believe the generosity of this person?? I know, Sherry. My thoughts exactly. Made me wish *I* lived close to Bob. ;o) SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki > >What part of the country are you in? I'm wanting to say Oklahoma but > >I can't remember. Anyway I am out on disability (I'm a cop and got hurt [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > such a wonderful group. Bob, check your e-mail, I just sent you a note. Thanks > so much. Totally! There are some really wonderful people on this NG. That's why I'm still reading it after some 4 years. -- Britta Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock that's covered in fur! Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album Verrrry Scarey Sherry! I'm just glad your son and kitty are ok...things can get replaced...son's and kitty's can't! Hugs to them both!......Bob...I didn't realize you were a officer on the disabled list...I was sure sad to read about Officer Darren Medllin! being killed by a DWI driver...Sheeez! Life is sure scarey! .... :-) Liz > > >Oh no, no insurance! That's too bad :-( But isn't it the electric > > >company's responsibility to keep the tree branches trimmed around the power [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Bob >>>Oh no, no insurance! That's too bad :-( But isn't it the electric >>>>>>>>snip<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Bob Pardon me for riding in on Bob's message, but I'll second the offer if you're closer to northern Virginia than Texas. I have a couple of slightly older (PIII 600-933) systems that I've been selling, but I'd be happy to send one your way if it was closer. Not trying to steal Bob's great offer, just adding on to it... I have some 15" monitors as well... Not the top line stuff, but perhaps a standby until he can get something he really likes...;) Though Bob's offer sounds like he'll get more of the machine he'd *want*, rather than a fill-in...:) Hope your power problems get cleared up quickly! I need to put some of those stickers on my front and back doors, since I have two upstairs fur kids and one downstairs. Think I'll bite the bullet and get some GFI breakers for the house, too. I had fun a few years ago with flickering lights. Turned out it was a cross threaded screw on one of the buss bars *in* the breaker box. It had evidently been like that since the house was built, and over the years, arcing had worn it loose. I was standing next to the box, and heard buzzing and crackling... *Not* something you're supposed to hear from your breaker box.... Hm...now I'm getting nervous... I feel like going home and checking on the fur kids.... Purrs - Chris > My son got home from work and found smoke boiling out of his TV and computer. That's terrible, Sherry! What a relief that Bosley was ok. Lots of purrs coming over for your son. SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki >That's terrible, Sherry! What a relief that Bosley was ok. Lots of purrs >coming over for your son. Piggybacking to say I'm also very glad there was no-one hurt. "Things" can be replaced, but living things can't. gentle *hugs* helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove fame & fortune h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$ --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off-- >We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going >to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >Sherry Purrs for all your nerves, Sherry. Theresa My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com alt.tv.frasier FAQ: http://www.im-listening.net/FAQ/ In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.anecdotes", Jun 2004: > Anyway, the point of me even telling this is, is I just wanted > to share how an absolute freak accident can happen. Even if you > are always very careful, your house can still catch on fire. We > were so lucky. Wow Sherry. I'm glad all was ok. You're very right about things like this happening outside of our control. I'm going through something similar in my house and I can't get the power company to take it seriously. I know it is a problem on the outside because at least one neighbor has the same problem (lights flickering, brightening/dimming, appliance motors racing at times) but I'm going to be forced to hire an electrician to prove it isn't *in* the house. Again, I'm very glad it wasn't a tragedy. SignatureCheryl >. I'm going through something >similar in my house and I can't get the power company to take it [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Again, I'm very glad it wasn't a tragedy. Scary, Cheryl. It's also very hard on your major appliances, even the fridge and such. Keep after them. Sherry > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but > am going to make one. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Sherry How scary. Thank Bast that your son got home in time. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy, Milo & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry Totally scary is certainly the right description! I'm glad it wasn't any worse than it was. Joy >We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going >to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >Sherry Scarey, and glad it wasn't as bad as it could have been. One of the problems living here in downtown is that there are lots of older trees which have been allowed to grow up into power lines. That's one of the reasons we're usually among the first to lose power during bad storms. Since it's an older neighborhood with no high priced houses, or big businesses, we're also usually among the last to get power restored. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html Sherry <sriddles@aol.comkitty> skrev i diskussionsgruppsmeddelandet:20040612022443.04221.00000633@mb-m25.aol.com... | We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going | to make one. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] | absolute freak accident can happen. Even if you are always very careful, your | house can still catch on fire. We were so lucky. that's really scary, glad noone furry or bare was hurt. There was something in the news here in Sweden last week about an area where they had suddenly received the doulbe voltage to the outlets which had left all kinds of appliances buzzing and smoking but again luck was with all and nothing really bad happened. Purrs for all your nerves. Best -- lewe ------------------------------------------------------------------------- lewemi at yahoo dot se | cat pics: photos.yahoo.com/lewemi >We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going >to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >Sherry Sherry, that is *so* scary. I'm so glad Bosley and your son are okay, even if the appliances aren't. Those can be replaced. Ginger-lyn Omg, Sherry, how awful -- so very, very glad the kitty and house were okay! I'm telling my DH about this one! And I'm also going to make signs! Christine > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry >We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, >but am going to make one. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >Sherry Speaking as someone who isn't an electrician, but who does have a college degree in electronics, it would be prudent to have an electrician check the light switches, electric outlets, etc., in your house to see if any of them now need to be replaced. Such a prolonged overload can cause problems that might cause a future house fire. I am glad that no one was hurt, including Bosley. When I had my house fire in February 2003, possibly caused by a squirrel chewing on a wire in the wall, my cat Annabel Lee ran and hid, and I couldn't get her out. I told the firemen about her as soon as they arrived, but she was already dead from smoke inhalation. SignatureJohn F. Eldredge -- john@jfeldredge.com PGP key available from http://pgp.mit.edu "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.anecdotes", John F. Eldredge <john@jfeldredge.com> artfully composed this message within <news:q2gnc0l1pd9iasdaf2vkcqe6en6mr0an4q@4ax.com> on 12 Jun 2004: > When I had my > house fire in February 2003, possibly caused by a squirrel > chewing on a wire in the wall, my cat Annabel Lee ran and hid, > and I couldn't get her out. I told the firemen about her as > soon as they arrived, but she was already dead from smoke > inhalation. Poor kitty! :( I was in an apt fire years ago and my Marley hid, too. Inside the couch where he'd already dug a hole into it (along with a burrow inside the mattress). The fire wasn't in my apt, but next door, and there was a lot of smoke. He made it through that. Hid the entire time the doors and windows were open while the firemen did their job. When there was the chance, one of the firemen came in with me to find Marley, and helped me shake him out of the couch because I figured that was where he was. Wow. I'm getting more scared now about my current electrical problems. SignatureCheryl >Speaking as someone who isn't an electrician, but who does have a >college degree in electronics, it would be prudent to have an >electrician check the light switches, electric outlets, etc., in your >house to see if any of them now need to be replaced. Such a >prolonged overload can cause problems that might cause a future house >fire. Thank you *verymuch* for the tip. I will call an electrician first thing Monday. It is a lovely, big old house built in the 1930's, with French doors, wrap-around porch and wood floors. We were really lucky to get the opportunity to buy it super cheap. Unfortunately, the wiring probably isn't code. We had new breakers installed when we bought it, and a new 220 thingy for the dryer. Would the electrician who did that have said something, if the rest of the wiring wasn't okay? >I am glad that no one was hurt, including Bosley. When I had my >house fire in February 2003, possibly caused by a squirrel chewing on >a wire in the wall, my cat Annabel Lee ran and hid, and I couldn't >get her out. I told the firemen about her as soon as they arrived, >but she was already dead from smoke inhalation. I remember that. That is so sad and breaks my heart to think about it again. Bosley met Cody at the door screaming his little head off. I know my Frank and probably Biskit too would hide like Annabel did. I guess critters cause lots of problems with power companies. We had a bullsnake crawl into the power station here and caused $600,000 worth of damage, plus the whole city lost power for much of the day. http://marlowreview.com Sherry Wow, that is totally scary! What luck that your son came home right then and not later. I think you're right, a sign on the door is a good idea. That is a lot of appliances to be fried, I hope your son has insurance! Many purrs, -- Britta Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock that's covered in fur! Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry Definitely scary! I have signs on all 3 doors at the house and both doors at the office. We've never had a fire, but at least the plumbers have noticed them. :-) Who's responsible for trimming trees growing into the power lines where you are? If it's someone other than the property owner, like the utility company or the city, he may have some recourse. ------ Krista So very glad to hear your son and Bosley weren't hurt. Hugs and purrs, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > power surge to go through the house. > But the most frightening thing was, Bosley was inside. <snip >But the most frightening thing was, Bosley was inside. I think another 15 >minutes and the house would have been in flames. One reassuring thing is, my >son said Bosley ran straight to him, very distressed and meowing. I was always >afraid cats would hide somewhere in case of fire and the firemen wouldn't be >able to find them. What a scary, freaky thing to happen! Poor Bosley. > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry Wow, Sherry! That is super-scary. Calming purrs on the way and thankful happy dances that it wasn't worse. Sam ...> My son got home from work and found smoke boiling out of his TV and computer. > Every electrical appliance in the house, microwave, cable DSL modem, air > conditioner, alarm clock, Playstation, TV, computer, everything--was fried. > > Sherry Thank goodness you are all O.K. What did your son do to prevent them from catching fire at that point? Annie >Thank goodness you are all O.K. What did your son do to prevent them from >catching fire at that point? >Annie He actually knew to flip the breakers to turn all the power off to the house, then used a fire extinguisher on the TV and computer before carrying them outside. It was a mess. At his age, and having no experience living on his own, I was surprised he was level-headed enough to do that. > He actually knew to flip the breakers to turn all the power off to the house, > then used a fire extinguisher on the TV and computer before carrying them > outside. It was a mess. At his age, and having no experience living on his own, > I was surprised he was level-headed enough to do that. Wow, I am impressed. They can surprise us sometimes, can't they? Annie >> Thank goodness you are all O.K. What did your son do to prevent them from >> catching fire at that point? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > own, > I was surprised he was level-headed enough to do that. His mama didn't raise no dummy :) > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > absolute freak accident can happen. Even if you are always very careful, your > house can still catch on fire. We were so lucky. Eeep! Glad everyone's OK. Many purrs for your brother, it'll cost a fortune to replace all those things, and while some aren't "essential", even the bare-bones electrical appliances will cost alot to re-purchase. Yowie > We were just discussing signs for firemen here--I don't have one, but am going > to make one. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Sherry FYI - some electric companies are offering to install whole-house surge protectors at a discounted rate. These devices are a similar concept as the surge protectors you can buy to plug your computer into. However, these attach at the electric meter and will help protect your electrical system from the outside. They do suggest using additional surge protector plugs for especially sensitive equipment like computers, but these can save most equipment from destruction in a severe situation like your son experienced. I know, my parents just had this installed on the house I'm living in. I'm glad because we have many suicidal squirrels around who love to chew the insulation off of the power lines, lots of trees with limbs near lines, and at least our share of bad drivers who seem to target power poles. - Denise (manipulated by Brenna) |
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