Fears

Reading Pams thread, reminds me of a fear. Lewis and mum live in a second
floor flat. About two years ago, the flat opposite them had a
fire..........food left in a lit oven. No real fire damage, but loadsa

BunnyHare...

I think the fear will lessen as the years pass but may still be there
lurking at the back of his mind and pop up again if he is ever in a similar
situation. My children witnessed a fire in a neighbour's house many years
ago and began to worry about the same thing happening to us. We devised a
plan of what we would do if such a thing occurred, how we would get out of
the building etc etc. We never needed to put the plan into action thank
goodness but the oldest one certainly remembers and has passed on the
information to her children (now 15 and 17). Having said that she still,
occasionally, panics when she is staying in strange hotels or guest houses

smoke, and block was evacuated. Ever since, I cannot leave him while I pop
to shop if oven is on. I don't know how, if ever, he can be cured of this

Tickettyboo...

Don't think you can 'cure' his fear for him Pete, especially one that
sounds kinda healthy to me. He is 13 (?) and quite sensibly probably
realises that if he were on his own and the same thing happened panic may
set in and he may not take the sensible option of getting out pdq.
Children like to have an adult around in cases of emergency, so that they
don't need to make decisions, he is probably fine while you are there to
take the responsibility.
I would go over the usual stuff, reassure him that the oven is safe ( my
gas oven was serviced once a year and had a safety inspection by the gas
board) show him you test the smoke alarms regularly, go over how to get
out of the house quickly and safely, depending on where a fire might be in
relation to where you are. Stress that getting out and away from danger is
the only action, ringing the fire brigade takes second place to that. I
would just take him to the shop with me or do without whatever it is I
forgot to buy cos whatever it is, it aint worth him being afraid.

fear.

Foxy at w*rk...

I think he will just grow out of it Pete. But it's not a bad fear to have
really. I once nipped next door asking Robert (14 at the time) to keep his
eye on some chops I had under a low grill. I came back just in time to put
the fire out under the grill. Tea ruined but at least there was no real
damage.