Close calls
I am constantly reminded of how quickly things can get out of control.
This morning on the Today Show, we staged a fire at a vacant house in Maryland to demonstrate just how fast a fire can consume a home. It wasn’t meant to scare people as much as to alert them and provide tools so they can remain calm should a fire occur--things as simple as having an evacuation plan beforehand.
As a reporter through the years I’ve covered so many fires, some unfortunately with tragic results (especially around the Christmas holidays when unattended candles and dried up Christmas trees can turn a happy holiday into heartbreak). And yet as I sat there with Matt giving the advice, I realized I had no evacuation plan for my family, even though I have three children and a husband who has trouble walking because of his MS.
So why this disconnect? Maybe it’s because we just want to believe that nothing like this will happen to us. Or we want to assume there will be enough time, if it does happen, to think clearly.
I should know better because I was in a fire that I actually started 13 years ago.
My daughter Lily was six months old when I had just gone back to work at ABC news as a correspondent on the documentary series Turning Point. The night before a trip (ironically, I was heading out to San Francisco to do a story on smoking and the tobacco industry), I pumped enough milk for Lily to have along with formula during the two days I’d be gone. Then I took the plastic tubing from the pump and put it in a pan with water to sterilize on the stove. I turned on the gas and went upstairs to lie down for a minute, never planning, of course, to fall asleep.
The next thing I remember was a faint sound that I thought was part of my dream. When I opened my eyes, I realized it was coming from the hallway, off the bedroom. I opened the door and discovered the house was full of smoke, and that "noise" was the smoke alarm. I screamed to Richard and we immediately grabbed the three kids (Lily, 2 year-old Gabe, and 4 year-old Ben) and went out the front door. We pounded on the neighbor’s door to call 911, but somebody must have already seen or smelled something because we could hear the fire engines. Once the trucks arrived the firefighters immediately went to the source of the smoke and found the melted tubing at the bottom of a blackened pan.
We were lucky. So many people succumb to smoke. For whatever reason, I heard that alarm, and although there was a lot of smoke damage in the house, we were able to hug each other.
I’ve been teased a lot since then--never to be trusted with a breast pump. But today’s message is pretty sobering: make sure your smoke alarms work. If you have a sprinkler system, keep it turned on (a lot of people told us they shut theirs off because they’re concerned that water damage to the house will do more damage than most fires. This is false). And above all, make sure you have an evacuation plan for your family--some place where you all can meet, and hopefully, hug.
P.S. Thanks so much for the feedback on my new blog. It's nice to connect with real people through the internet. Since many of you have written in with questions, I've decided that every Friday, I'll try to answer some of them. --MV
I think the disconnect comes because we cannot worry about everything that could possibly kill us. We could have a fire escape plan and check the fire alarms every six month and then die tomorrow in a car crash. I think the real matter is that we are going to die, we never know how. We could live our entire life in fear of what could possibly be the cause of it, but that is no way to live. Living is doing the best with the time that you are given.
Thanks for writing your heart on this blog. It is wondeful to see someone on television who is real and down to earth. "can't be trusted with a breast pump." That was funny Meredith! I mean the fire wasn't funny, but atleast you were one of the lucky ones who got out and can look back now and laugh about it. See you in the morning!
Given what happened in NYC at almost the exact time you posted, your message really hit home.
On 9-11 I had to evacuate my downtown apartment with my dog in tow. Fortunately we are all OK, but unfortunately, almost 4 hours went by before my husband and I could even speak because we did not have an evacuation/meeting plan in place.
Needless to say I'm freakin' out today, especially since my building is located right next to the Hudson river.
dear Meredith, you couldn't have even imagined the impact of your article while you were writing it on a day like today. again, New York on alert. a plane crashed into a building. still shaking, you can't help but be scared. unlike you say, I am constantly aware of the fact that situations can change in a second. one just hopes that if something like this occurs, one will have the strength to reationalize enough to have a claer head and do what is right and safe.
Dear Meredith,
To get off topic for a sec, I just wanted to congratulate you on your new position as co-anchor of the TODAY show. As an afficianado of the show since the Jane Pauley era, I had to let you know what a wonderful job you are doing and what a pleasure it is to watch you every day (on the web netcast!).
The chemistry between you and Matt is PALPABLE on air which makes it even more fun to watch! You nervousness in the early editions of the show was so human, so understandable, that I held my breath in every segment you were in just to make sure you got through each one all right.
Don't change a thing- you are a warm, professional presence every morning. I'm so excited for you!!!!
What a terrible thing to happen,thanks for shareing . I burned my arm and hand some years back ,third degree burns. I have been horrified of fire since.It's no laughing matter.Fire safety is a must in my family.
I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog- I've added it to my list of daily reads!
I miss you on the view, but you are doing a great job on the Today show.
Dear Meredith,
You are a really neat and fun person!!
I watch you on Millionaire and, when I get a chance, on the Today Show.
I also enjoy reading your new blog!! You tell really neat and touching stories!! Thanks for sharing more of yourself with us via your blog.
Meredith, I have one question to ask of you (perhaps you might answer it someday on one of your Friday blogs):
How and why did you become involved with AutismSpeaks.org?
The reason I ask? I am 41 now, and 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with a high-functioning form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome.
Recently, I was really excited and thrilled to find out that you were involved with AutismSpeaks.org. I visited the website and I saw some pics of you on it!! And I thought, "Wow!! I have a hero in autism and her name is Meredith Vieira!!"
I do have exciting plans for my future - next year I will start my Master's in occupational therapy (OT) and will work with autistic kids as an OT.
Take care, and hope to hear from you soon!
Joe
You are sorely missed on THE VIEW - will you ever make a visit? I keep hoping you will show up and show them.
Hi Meredith, I really enjoy your blog and read it every day.
Your piece on fire safety made me realize that my husband and I have no escape plan. We did when our children were at home, but now we live in a different place and have no plan.
Thanks for reminding us!
What fun to read your blog.I have put it in my favorites to read each day. I have read Richard's book so I feel like I know your family. He is an inspiration to us all. Keep up the good work you do.
I'm so glad The Today Show did a segment on fire safety. I was able to show my kids so they too could see just how fast a fire can spread and how we need to have a plan of action. Also, my 5-year-old just had the fire dept come to his school to talk about fire safety. He now knows to dial 911, and most importantly, he knows that he should not hide from the fire/smoke. Seeing the visual today on your program really helped.
I too have added your blog to my daily reads. I love The Today Show now. I never watched it before you were on. I did watch you on The View daily though! :)
Great work, Meredith!
Just wanted you to know how much I admire you, You are truly a wonderful person. I live every day with chronic pain and fibromyalgia. I am lucky in that I have an awesome husband who has stood by me 100%. I hope your husband realizes what a lucky man he is to have you by his side. Thank you for all you do and all your bring to every show you do. Genie from Maryland
Thank you for sharing that story. I watched some of that segment today -and I think a lot of us have a false sense of being non-flammable. I especially got a lot out of when they compared the two rooms - one with a sprinkler system and one without.
Meredith,
What has surpised you the most (good and bad) about coming back and covering the news?
Also do you feel like you are recognized now even more on Today as compared to View and millionaire?
I don't wake up in time to catch the Today show. I'm a gay man in NYC. I need my sleep!! But I love that you are blogging and what great words you write. I miss you at 11AM, but I'm so happy to see that you are enjoying your new chapter in life. Though I do miss you so so so much on the old show, but it's great to read your Views. You're the best that TV has to offer.
I found your blog by accident and I'm glad I did. It's good. When, during the day, do you have time to write it? Do you actually type it out on the comuter or does Amanda transcribe and post it?Also, I think you would be fun to hang out with.
I just reread this post and I really sound goofy.
I just found your blog and added it to my daily reads, along with Rosie's. Love you on Today, and always have a warm feeling of home when watching you guys in the morning.Keep up the good work.
I love reading your blog. I don't get to watch the Today show because I'm at work but I'm very glad that you joined the team. As for the fire information, I agree, you never know what can happen and you need to plan. My stepkids mom just lost everything that she and her husband had in a house fire a couple weeks ago. They were lucky to get out with just themselves. It really made me stop and think that the things we think can never happen to us really can. I also feel blessed that my husband and I have enough "extra" stuff from combining our two households that we're able to get his ex set up with furniture and other home items so they don't have to do without. Believe me, even though it wasn't our house that burned down we all hugged each other just the same.
OMG, I nearly started a fire the exact same way! My daughter was a few months old and still not sleeping through the night. I was sleep-deprived and exausted, and I fell asleep while the breast pump parts were boiling on the stove. My husband came home to find a mess of melted plastic parts in the bottom of the pot and the kitchen filling with horrible-smelling smoke. Luckily we were all fine but it was really scary at the time.
And embarassingly, two years later, we don't have a fire-emergency plan either. But I promise to figure one out tonight. Honestly, tonight!
Meredith-
A fire killed an entire family within my family- theonly survivors were my aunt and cousin. It was really sad.
are you working more or less now?
before you were doing the view and millionaire, now you have the Today Show. Which job/jobs are more time consuming?
I think it's one of those things where you think that won't happen, and when we are reminded that it can happen we don't want to be reminded that we have to prepare for the worst. We as a society don't feel too comfortable when we have to come face to face with thinking of our own mortality. It's too overwhelming thinking of everything that can go wrong.
WOW, Almost the exact same thing happened to me!!!! My daughter was about 2 weeks old, had colic and we were in the middle of moving out of state so we were staying at my mom's house. I bought new nipples hoping that may help the colic, put it on to boil (which they recommend doing first) and next thing I know I wake up to the smell of burnt plastic and the fire alarm! My mom had luckily heard the alarm and put the flames out. That is the most sickening feeling and the smell was awful. Luckily we were all fine. Hearing your story made me remember that horrible night. Thank God it wasn't worse.
Meredith you are a joy to watch. Your personality is so engaging and the chemisty with Matt is endearing. Hope all is going well with your expectations of your new job and I hope your husband is well. You are the type of celebrity that a person can feel so connected to just because of your down to earth demeanor. I feel like you could be one of my girlfriends with some of the same concerns we have. Keep up the good work Meredith.
Hi Meredith,
I loved watching the View, I haven't seen it in some time because I now come home everyother weekend, but I congratulate You on your next Journey in life may you have all the success in the years ahead of you.
I to love animals and it really upsets me when people are cruel to them, like people who get dogs and then leave them outside in the winter when it's so cold, they don't deserve to have animals. Take Care.
Kathleen
I've noticed you are never on the Today show after 9am. Will this change or will you always just be on between 7am and 9am? I enjoy watching you and Al cut up with each other. Joyce
Hi, Meridth ~
I saw your report on autism this am. Our daughter "Joy" has autism. She was hospitalized at age 4 1/2 with a virus. The hospital Dr. treated her for asthma. She doesn't hav asthma.
It was no common virus - when we brought her home, she was infant-like
She could no longer hold a pencil, feed herself. When she went to 5K, her teacher (who taught our older children) said, "Marilyn, I believe Joy has autism". I had heard the word, but, had no clue. She said, "We can't teach her, I am so sorry". We took her to the SC Medical Univ Hospital, doctors said she had some type of developmental disability. Spent every cent we had to take her to the Dan Marino Ctr, she was uncontrollable so I fed her Dramamine so she could sleep for the trip. It was a 100% waist of time & the $800 bill. Johns Hopkins Hospital, DUKE over the years. Now at 16, SC MUSC diag her with Autism. She wants us to find her a dolphin college to learn how to be a dolphin trainer. Please help us help Joy. God Bless you. M Thompson