8 Tips for Home Fire Preparedness (from Experience)

The Event That Changed Everything

I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about this experience on the blog. It’s deeply personal and still hard to process. But this event has truly changed my life—not just because it was tragic (and it was), but because of what it revealed to me about the grace and faithfulness of God. There’s also a practical side to it, something I debated sharing: the importance of being prepared in case of a fire.

The Fire

In the early hours of October 8, our home caught fire.

Most of us were asleep, except for my husband, who happened to be awake in the living room. He heard strange popping sounds coming from the garage. When he opened the door, he saw a ball of fire forming. Moments later, I was jolted awake by his shouts to call 911. Disoriented, I grabbed my phone and made the call. While he tried to fight the fire, I started getting everyone out of the house.

But within a minute, it became clear there was nothing he could do. The fire moved terrifyingly fast. In what felt like no time at all—three, maybe four minutes—the entire house was engulfed in flames (see photo above).

There’s a common misconception that in the event of a fire, you’ll know what to grab. Let me tell you—you don’t. It happens so fast, you don’t have time to think. All we focused on was getting ourselves, and our fur baby, out alive.

I stood outside, numb, watching the flames consume everything. When the fire reached the attic, the house essentially exploded into a fireball. There are moments from that night that I still can’t remember—entire blanks in my mind, like watching the firefighters put out the flames. I think my brain went into shock.

Seeing the house after the fire was gut-wrenching, but nothing prepared me for what I saw in the daylight. I’ve only cried twice since: once during the drive to my mother-in-law’s house that night, and once the next day, when I saw the ruins in full light. Looking at the damage—and even now when I see the photos—all I can think of are the silly things I used to complain about: the house was too small, too messy. But now, I would give anything to have that house back.

We’re in the process of rebuilding, but I still miss our old home deeply.

What I’ve Learned

In the past eight months, I’ve learned a lot. But the greatest lesson has been about God’s protection. We are alive today only by His grace. Jesus has given me a peace I can’t fully explain. Yes, I’m still sad. But I’m also incredibly grateful—for His protection, and for the courage He gave me.

I’ve never known fear like I did that night when I realized my teenage stepson was still in his basement bedroom. While my husband was trying to fight the fire, I ran back inside to get him. The flames were already coming under the door from the garage, which sits kitty-corner to the lower-level stairs. I inhaled smoke and couldn’t reach him, but my husband went in after me and got him out. Then we all ran from the house. My mom had already gotten out with the dog.

That’s the last moment I clearly remember. Apparently, as I stood in the small park across from the house, as it burned, I started taking photos at some point—I have no memory of doing that—but the rest of the night is a blur. It’s frustrating, but I think my mind was trying to protect me. Maybe one day I’ll remember more. But even now, it still feels unreal.

From the front porch looking into the dining room and the kitchen.

Where the fire started. You can see the scorched spot on the wall (surrounded by the yellow insulation) where the fire ignited.

The fire burned so fast and hot, that as we were running out of the house, I was trying to unlock the doors to my car (below), and the heat alone had already fried the electric system.

My car.

One of the bedrooms.

Once the sun came up, my husband and I snapped into “military mode.” We started making lists—what needed to be done, who we needed to call. It was our way of coping with the chaos. There was so much to handle, but our very first call was to our insurance company.

I have to give a huge shoutout to USAA. They were incredible. Within 72 hours, they had fully settled our claim for the complete value needed to rebuild. We were so grateful—it was a major relief in the midst of overwhelming loss.

As we moved through the process—filling out forms, gathering images, coordinating inspections—we picked up a few practical lessons. Today, I want to share some of those tips with you. My hope is that you’ll never need them. But if you do, I pray they help you feel just a little more prepared.

8 Tips for Fire Preparedness (based on our experience):

  1. Ensure you have a fireproof and waterproof safe for all your important documents—it’s worth it. Ours protected everything, saving us the hassle of replacing critical records after the fire. A simple investment can make a big difference when it matters most.

  2. Ensure your insurance policy covers the replacement cost of your home. This type of coverage offers more comprehensive financial protection, helping you rebuild without unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

    2B. Review your policy for home recovery and demolition coverage. While many insurance plans include it, coverage often comes with specific conditions—and natural disasters usually require separate policies. Keep in mind, demolition costs can be significant, so having the right coverage is essential. So grateful we have a comprehensive insurance coverage.

  3. Fire alarms are essential, but they may not activate if a fire starts above or below their level. That’s what happened to us—the fire spread from the garage to the attic, bypassing the alarms installed on other levels when the house was built, before my husband purchased it. To ensure full protection, consider installing interconnected alarms and adding heat detectors in areas like attics, basements, and garages for comprehensive coverage.

  4. Don’t forget about preparedness for your furry friends. If you have a dog, keep their collar with ID tags and a leash easily accessible. In the chaos of an emergency, this small step can make it much easier to secure your furry friend quickly.

    4B. Many insurances cover cost for boarding of animals due to displacement by fire. Check with your insurance to see if your policy covers that. This was super helpful for us because the first 72 hours after the fire were so chaotic that I was afraid Riley was going to run out the door at the farm; and so we boarded him for those three days and it was so good for him to just not be surrounded by stress.

  5. Create a go-bag with essentials like clothing, toiletries, medications, chargers, a flashlight, and a list of emergency contacts. If possible, have a second one store it at a trusted friend or family member’s house in case you don’t have time to retrieve it from your home, which was our case.

  6. Check Power Cords and Avoid Overloading Outlets. Regularly inspect cords for wear, fraying, or damage, and replace them immediately if needed. This is what started our fire— a power cord in the garage. It was in compliance, it looked like it had no damage, but it is the one reason we do not have a home today.

  7. Place fire extinguishers in easily accessible spots, such as the kitchen, garage, and bedrooms. Consider having multiple ones. In our case, we had one, but it was in the garage where the fire started, making it unreachable when we needed it most because it is where the fire started. Strategic placement is key!

  8. When the challenges feel overwhelming, look around and acknowledge your blessings. You’re alive, your family is safe, and your pets are well. Hold onto your faith, or whatever fills your cup, because it will carry you through the tough days ahead as you heal and rebuild.

Take the time to assess your home’s safety measures today—you never know when they might save lives and protect your loved ones.