Fears of a fire or explosion

[Casey_03]

I have become consumed by fear of a house fire or house explosion. I am always terrified of the furnace somehow blowing up, or a fire breaking out. I have fire detectors and gas detectors, but I am now starting to worry that they won't work. Or, once I move into a new place, that a fire will start next door and my alarm won't sense it, and it will reach the furnace and cause an explosion.

My trauma has nothing to do with a fire or explosion. And I have never known anyone affected by a fire or explosion. So I have no idea why I'm so fixated on this.

The simple answer, of course, is that it's just anxiety. But it's painfully persistent and it keeps me up at night. I wonder if anyone has any tips for dealing with similar irrational fears? (or maybe not so irrational?)

 

[Tinyflame]

Hi @Casey_03 , I think you're correct in recognizing it's anxiety- not sure if some of us are 'pre-wired' for it or it's post trauma induced, but I think when anxious it's more likely we will feel more anxious about everything. Also I think hypervigilance and being aware that very bad things can happen without warning come in to play.

It's important as much as you are able to be calm for yourself and what your baby absorbs from you.

Recognizing it's just a lie of the mind can help you start to turn it down. Also distractions, sleep, eating, other's input or support is crucial.

Sometimes the fears come out in other ways: for example, fear of death, or loss of your child, or feeling unable to protect your child, or homelessness. Or just things out of your control. And not knowing how to cope in the aftermath. (But such an aftermath is never something one could prepare for. And 'the' worst doesn't 'always' happen.) 'Fear' = False Evidence Appearing Real.

You've prepared for the worst, now you can hope for the best. Hope you can get some rest. :hug: :hug::hug:

Ps, if you're able to leave a window near the furnace open a smidgen, it greatly reduces chances of a gas-pressure build up (from experience). Also most furnaces have safety features to shut down in the event of malfunction.

Ps, sometimes when I'm thoroughly terrified in bed at night, or after a night terror, or despairing, and can't sleep, I start trying to name anything and everything I'm grateful for, even if I don't feel particularly so. Sometimes it helps and I fall asleep.

 

[FireSign8]

I would just be as prepared as I could in case a fire breaks out, as this does a lot to alleviate anxiety.
Make sure trees are trimmed & garbage is not sitting around.
Remove dry leaves from roof & around the yard.
Check under your house & look into the foundation. If it has trash- remove it!
Remove old cars, or at least drain the fuel from their tanks.
Buy some fire extinguishers & keep them in a place where you can easily access them if a fire does break out.
Buy a few extra hoses for the exterior of your home/apt & keep a nozzle on them & keep them as close to the faucet as possible.
Do not store flammable liquids in your home or garage.
Know your escape route & keep it clear & well lighted in case you have to find it quickly in the dark or in a smokey room.
If you get time, make up a to go bag with important stuff that is meaningful to you.
If possible, keep your photos & paperwork on an electronic device & store a copy of it in a safe deposit box or at least store your photos in there if you don't have the patience or money to store them on electronic devices.
Lastly, if you are a hoarder, get rid of the abundance of stuff inside your home as it is fuel.
I may have missed a few points, but it has been a long time since I did a walk through in my mind.
I am still working on the storing of photos, but I do happen to have my TO GO BAG ready & I keep an old pair of running shoes & socks in the trunk of my kids car in case I need them. If fire hits, I know I won't have time to look for my shoes. I live in fire country now & it is always a very real concern that those beautiful trees on my neighbors unkept lot will go up in flames & nothing I will be able to do will stop the fire from hitting the house.
I keep all of my photos in a lock tight plastic box close to the door with my to go bag on top!

 

[anonymous]

Know your escape route & keep it clear & well lighted in case you have to find it quickly in the dark or in a smokey room.

^This.
It's also a good idea to practice your escape routs. It might sound silly, but the way to practice is to actually get on your hands and knees and crawl.
Fires spread incredibly fast, the smoke can quickly become so thick it's impossible to see your hand in front of your face. It's not unheard of for people to get lost and sadly become trapped, trying to find their own front door.

Now, I didn't tell you that to scare you. It's just good to know if you didn't already.

 

[Casey_03]

Thank you guys for responding! I think you are all right to say the best thing to do is prepare for it just in case. It helps to alleviate the anxiety too. I guess I'm most concerned about getting my baby out to safety, but today I came up with a plan for that. If the exit route down the stairs is cut off from fire, I will use expandable stairs to go out the window (there's no fire escape in the apartment I'm moving into). And I also have a baby seat with straps on it, so if I have to, I can strap him in extra tight to the seat and get a harness type thing to lower him out of the window. I obviously hope I never have to do that, but I feel better knowing there are ways to get him out.

 

[anonymous]

And I also have a baby seat with straps on it, so if I have to, I can strap him in extra tight to the seat and get a harness type thing to lower him out of the window

I didn't forget about LM, I figured you already had a plan for him. ;)

I would also suggest practicing getting the harness and lowering apparatus ready as well.
Obviously I wouldn't suggest having him in it while you do this, lol. But an analogue of similar weight, such as a sandbag would do. Ensuring you can be confident in hefting the weight up and over the sill. Oh, and don't forget to measure the rope. :p

I obviously hope I never have to do that, but I feel better knowing there are ways to get him out.

Most people never will, thank God.
So long as you follow basic fire safety and test your detectors periodically. You'll be in the best possible place of action, whatever may happen.