Reminder to have an emergency plan that includes your buns – we had a fire

[Lis]

This morning, I woke up to the smoke alarm going off and my fiance standing in front of the utility closet, declaring that the fire was there. I had to immediately spring into action. We had a fire plan and that might have saved everybody’s lives.

Firstly, I should say that our fire was electrical. The first thing HJ did was cut all power via the breaker box and call 911. The fire department later told us we’d actually put the fire out ourselves by doing this, but we didn’t know this. Either way, it would have bought us time.

My bunnies instantly knew to be calm and collected somehow. Their pen is right next to the closet that was on fire. Navi is usually a skittish spaz, but she just hunkered down at the front of her cage, allowing me to grab her. I was lucky in that their carrier was in the living room – carried them both out (away from the fire), shoved them in it, put it outside the doors and then ran back to grab the cat as HJ grabbed the cages of the small animals that we’re petsitting. I couldn’t find my kitty’s carrier and it was early AM and still a little cool, so I grabbed my keys and threw her into my car instead until I was  (she’s an indoor kitty). By the time that HJ walked out of the apartment, the fire department had arrived (we’re lucky to live in a city with such fast responses).

It had turned out that the apartment above ours had their water heater break overnight. The water had dripped down into our AC blower and caused a fire. It’s not anything that could have been prevented. 

Factors that saved us:

Cutting the power.

Having a carrier handy.

The fact that the buns live in the pen at night.

Car keys by the door (for kitty).

Folks, have an evacuation plan, preferably one that’s flexible for several scenarios. Include your furkids. However, don’t put your own life at risk if you don’t have to.

[Lis]

Oh, and I have my vet’s number memorized. As soon as they opened, you can bet they got a call! Fortunately, they said the exposure was so little that their lungs should be okay, but to watch them (particularly for stasis due to the stress). Both buns are breathing and eating and pooping just fine. We were incredibly lucky this morning.

[Sarita]

I’m glad everyone and everybun is okay! Good thoughts.

I think I worry more about what happens when I’m not home since I have absolutely no control then….but I imagine I would panic too if I was at home and something happened.

[Stickerbunny]

Glad everyone is OK!

We had a gas leak here and the buns were very well behaved as well. They let me grab them and stick them right in the carrier. It’s very good when they know to behave because there is danger and you’re just trying to get them away from it!

[LittlePuffyTail]

A fire in the house in one of my biggest fears. I’m so glad you and your babies are okay!!!

[Bam]

I’m so happy you are ok! Really really clever of you to cut the power, I’d never have thought of that! I’m programming it into my head as I write.

I always keep the carriers ready, but someone else here said if you don’t have carriers, you can put the bunnies in pillow-cases to carry them out safely.

[manic_muncher]

I’m so glad everyone is ok and have to agree with bam, cutting the power is something I’d never have thought of, really quick thinking.

You have just given me the reason to continue locking Bumpy away when we are asleep. I’ve been on the fence about letting him go 100% free-roam and pretty much had come up with no reason to close his xpen door again. Seriously, I was just talking to my husband about this last night.

Gonna have to get off my lazy butt now and get the carrier off the porch and ready to go in a moment’s notice.

[JackRabbit]

So glad everyone is safe.

I am terrified of fire. All carriers are in the bunny room, going to move one carrier to Kieko’s room now. Photo albums live in a cabinet next to a window. We have 8 smoke/fire detectors in our house, 4 fire extinguishers. Had a bad fire scare when I was a kid.

I’m afraid I would be the only one to run for the buns. We had an earthquake (extremely rare here) a few years ago. I ran upstairs to our son who was in the shower. Hubby ran outside.

I too worry about something happening when I’m not home.

[LongEaredLions]

That is so scary! I am so glad you are all ok!
I agree that this is extremely important. Another thing that is good to have is a bunny emergency kit.

[Lis]

We didn’t have time to grab any other supplies for the bunnies, so it’s nice in theory, but realistically – my instinct was to just get everybody out. If we hadn’t been able to get back inside, we might have had problems, but the bunnies’ carrier has hay in it for a reason. I had already had to take a trip back inside to grab the cat – I wasn’t gonna go back again.
I think the cutting the power thing only helped because it was an electrical fire – I’m not sure it would have helped if something else had caused it. Our breaker is right above the bunny pen, so it was right there.

I remember that earthquake you’re referring to, JackRabbit, assuming you’re talking about the one in Mineral. I was living in Northern Virginia at that time, and I felt it very strongly at work, while my fiance, who was living in Newport News at the time, didn’t feel it at all. 

And Stickerbunny, I think your gas evacuation was actually what inspired me to keep hay in their carrier. So thanks for that!

[bunnluff]

Oh gosh this is my worst fear. Where I used to live we had 2 really bad fire scares. My folks live in a hot, brushy area and twice we almost lost the house. Living in an apartment now, I’m worried more that something will happen while I’m at work and there will be nothing I can do. And also you never know what will happen in a surrounding apartment in which you are only separated by walls. It’s truly so scary. Glad you all got out safe!!

[Lita]

That is so scary! We had a big storm not to long ago and I got so terrified of how we would deal if there was a tornado or there was a fire from lightning or some such. Wouldnt let my fiancee sleep till we had an idea of what we would do and who would get which animals. I always say my first concern is getting my fiancee out if its dangerous, then the animals, then myself.

Glad everything ended ok for you!

[Beka27]

Oh thank goodness everyone is okay! How frightening! I will keep you guys in my thoughts.

This is something that really worries me about people who choose to have their buns free range 24/7. If something like this happens, you may or may not be able to capture free bunnies. And the first priority has to be getting any adults/children to safety. You might not have time to track down furry family as sad as that is. 🙁

[JackRabbit]

That is the earthquake Lis. It was strong enough here to rattle windows and “rumble” the walls.

So, Retrosquid’s experience with Link’s eye got me to buy pet insurance for my buns, this fire story got me to say “yes” to a home security system with fire monitoring (and a life alert necklace button thing for my mother)(they were running a special promo so it ended up really cheap with mom & I splitting the cost). Hopefully no one else will have anything bad happen because my budget is reaching it’s limit!

[JackRabbit]

So, hay in the carrier. How much hay? Do you keep it in a bag or anything? How often do you replace it with fresh?

[Deleted User]

I used to always joke that if our house ever burnt down it would be from a candle (I used to love candles) or something electrical that Henry chewed! With Henry being free roam I hope we have time to peel a banana – that way he’ll come to us! Lol…..

Being serious – Henry sleeps under our bed, so we know where to find him. Forget the carrier (for us), I’m with bam – Henry would get shoved in the pillow case (thanks for the idea Eepster – an old thread from when I first became a BBer!). And I have to admit as annoying as what it is to place furniture – we have window’s and glass doors on every wall on our house, so getting out wouldn’t be too hard for us. Our only real concern (I think???) would be making sure the smoke detectors work – am going to check the batteries now!
Oh, and I’m not sure what the norm is ‘over there’? But our power box is located outside so the meter can be read for our electricity bill, but we have switches that flick off automatically – how I found out my frypan cord had a fault sometime last year, it tripped my electricity and I lost all power instantly. (Hubby is still cooking our meat on the bbq, I haven’t preplaced the frypan – less cleaning for me to do, ha ha ha).

And if only I could buy pet insurance for Henry JR! Actually, I wish it was known and available for the dog’s at least – I’m sure you can imagine how much I’ve spent on my doggies over the last 20+ years…..

[Usagi1618]

I’ve definitely had emergencies like that happen. My boys luckily always come running to momma when something is amuck. I am so glad that I wouldn’t have to chase them.

[JackRabbit]

Wish mine would come running!

AH – you all don’t have pet insurance available for dogs and cats? Don’t know about cats, but dog insurance here (for my dog) was going to be 3-4 times more than for a bunny.

[Lis]

As for hay in the carrier – I keep it lose, scattered throughout the carrier. Probably about a day’s worth of hay. They never make it through it all. I switch it out every time I go somewhere with the bunnies, and because I buy full, fresh bales of horse quality hay from a local farm, it keeps well (and is cheaper per bale than buying a little bag at a pet store).

[Deleted User]

Oh yes JR, we have pet insurance and I’m sure it’s for everything ‘legal’. Sadly I never heard about it (never knew it existed) till a few years back, so to late for me – bugga! If we ever got another puppy (which we are NOT! cause the hubby said….), I’d definitely take out doggy insurance!

[JackRabbit]

AH – never say never! Accidents happen (look at Manic and her 2 new buns!) and we know we make wonderful decisions after a drink or two!

Lis – I could do a days hay in Kieko’s carrier, but with my other two. . . a day’s worth of hay for them plus the buns wouldn’t fit! Those two go through some serious hay!

[Deleted User]

So what your saying JR, I can only drink my glass of wine once the pet shops have closed???? LOL!

[JackRabbit]

AH, that sounds like a pretty good plan! I guess we could make up signs too to be worn like a necklace . . . They could say “If I’ve been drinking, keep me away from anything cute and furry”. If nothing else, it would keep everyone guessing . . . and we would probably meet lots of new people! (or possibly get arrested . …)

[Stickerbunny]

Posted By Beka27 on 6/15/2014 7:15 AM

Oh thank goodness everyone is okay! How frightening! I will keep you guys in my thoughts.

This is something that really worries me about people who choose to have their buns free range 24/7. If something like this happens, you may or may not be able to capture free bunnies. And the first priority has to be getting any adults/children to safety. You might not have time to track down furry family as sad as that is. 🙁

Well, mine are free roam in half the house during most days. But, they have their own bedroom at night. I know exactly where they are.  

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