Being a mum is many roles all rolled into one – caretaker, educator, chef, nappy-changer, personal chauffeur, boo-boo kisser, teen punching bag, home-maker, amongst others. And as the primary home-maker (in most cases, at least), it is essential you know what to do in the event of an emergency – be it with regards to something in your home (like a fire or a burst pipe) or even with regards to your children (choking).
It’s always better to be prepared (even for the worst), so that in the unfortunate event of a real emergency, you are not caught completely off-guard and can act more swiftly and smartly. And perhaps save lives too…
So let’s look into some of the common emergencies that could arise – and that you should be prepared for – as a mum.
House fire.
This can be one of the scariest (and most common) emergencies that can occur in your home, even while you are at home! A previously unidentified gas-leak, a short circuit, carelessness such as leaving an open flame unattended – there are various ways a fire could get ignited in your home.
What should I do?
These are the steps you should take when you realise there is a fire in your home
- If possible, get your children (or whoever else is home) out of the house as fast as possible. If you are unable to do so (for instance if you have a disabled child or a bed-ridden individual who would take time in leaving), then do whatever you can to prevent the fire from encroaching the room they are in (such as shutting the door and blocking the space beneath the door) and leave! This might sound harsh but you will be of more help to them if you are in a position to tell the fire-fighters exactly how many people are stuck in the house and their exact location.
- Call the fire-station
- If it’s a small fire and you have a fire extinguisher at home, use it to put out the fire.
- And be even better prepared for the future – take heed of these fire prevention tips
Getting locked out of your home.
Mumbrain is a thing! And it sometimes lasts years after giving birth too; in fact, with more children and more things and tasks and to-do lists to remember, mum’s sometimes forget the small stuff. Like taking the house keys with them before leaving the house. Or, the door could accidentally close (or could be closed by your three-year-old) and you could find yourself locked out of your own house!
What if it’s just 10 am, and hours before your better half comes home from work?
What if you don’t keep a spare key under one of the flower pots, or with a neighbour?
What should I do?
- First check all the doors and windows to see if there is one that is open
- Try popping the lock open using a credit card or something similar
- Call a locksmith such as https://www.a-1locksmith.com/ who specialises in residential lockout services
Burst water pipe.
You think these kind of things just happen in movies and ‘randomly’ to other people, but it very well could occur in your home too. A burst water pipe (or even a water leak which can then turn into a potential emergency) isn’t as ‘random’ as you think!
What should I do?
- If you know where your main water valve is located (and this is a good time to find that out), turn it off immediately to restrict the amount of water damage to your home. If it’s a toilet overflow, turn the valve behind the toilet off.
- Call a plumber at the earliest. Note it could also be a roofing issue so you might have to call a professional roofer as well.
- In the meantime, if it’s a leak from just one place (either a crack in the pipe or the ceiling), put buckets or large utensils or even plastic sheets under the leak to prevent a bigger mess and more water damage to your home.
- If possible, leave the house, especially if you have small children
- Make sure your pipes are insulated before winter to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
- If your basement gets flooded, don’t enter it. Call your utility company immediately and stay away from the basement until they have turned the electricity and gas off.
Carbon monoxide leak.
Not many of us have a carbon monoxide detector in the house; and if we do, most of us forget to service it often. Make sure you have one and it is in proper working conditioning, because carbon monoxide is lethal. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause serious health issues, and in some cases (if exposed to high levels), death as well. Also, because it is a clear and odorless gas, one cannot immediately sense a leak.
What should I do?
- First and foremost, everyone should leave the house as soon as the carbon monoxide alarm goes off. Do not stay indoors as the gas is extremely poisonous.
- Once the leak has been fixed, try and find the source of the problem and fix it.
- Properly vent all gas furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces.
- Make sure all electrical and gas appliances in your home are properly installed, regularly inspected and serviced and in good working condition.
Gas leak.
Gas leaks often smell (like rotten eggs) so that’s your first cue that something is amiss. Don’t ignore it, as gas leaks must be taken seriously; if inside your homem it could make you extremely sick or if it spreads, could even cause a fire or explosion.
What should I do?
If you smell gas inside your home:
- Go outside immediately and call your utility company and 911.
- Don’t try to find the leak yourself – leave it to the emergency services.
- Don’t turn on or off any electrical appliances.
Don’t smoke or have any open flames nearby.
Power outage.
This might not be an emergency, but there are some things you should keep in mind to stay safe during a power outage.
What should I do?
- Use torches (or your mobile phone torch) instead of candles as that could potentially cause a fire if accidentally knocked over in the dark. Keep a designated place for torches so you know exactly where to find them. Keep some spare batteries alongside them just in case.
- Keep your refrigerator door closed to keep the fridge as cool as possible.
- Turn off the lights and unplug electronics.
Mia Guerra
Latest posts by Mia Guerra (see all)
- Five Wedding Details You Shouldn’t Forget While Planning - July 17, 2023
- Essential Considerations When Planning an Extension - July 17, 2023
- Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Contribute to a Greener World - July 17, 2023
