Up in Flames

A Wall Socket Mishap Almost Ended in Tragedy

It nearly all went up in flames yesterday, but as I sit here, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that Yeshua protected us. If I hadn’t walked by that wall socket at just the right moment, we could have lost everything—our home and, even worse, two of our dogs and all four of our cats.

I had bundled up to take food to a neighbor when I smelled something burning. At first, I couldn’t place the smell, but by God’s grace, I glanced at the wall outlet where our deep freezers were plugged in. Smoke was billowing out, the plastic was melting, and I could see red glowing behind it. I yelled for my husband, who immediately shut the power off the entire house at the breaker box.

We called the fire department, and they came quickly. Using their equipment, they checked to ensure the fire hadn’t spread into the walls. Thankfully, it hadn’t. The firefighters cleared the area, but the situation left us shaken.

What makes it even scarier is that I almost forgot about our pets. With the ice storm throwing off our routine, our dogs and cats—usually outside—had been brought indoors. In the chaos of clearing the house with my eight-year-old son and our smaller dog, I left the others behind without realizing it. When the 911 operator asked if everyone was out, I said yes, only to realize I had forgotten six of them.

It’s a terrifying reminder of how anxiety, brain fog, and being neurodivergent can collide in moments of panic. I’m upset with myself for forgetting them, but I’m also in awe of how God’s timing protected us. The outlet could have caught fire during the night or while we were away, but instead, it happened at a moment when I was walking by, preparing to help someone else.

We’ve continued to check the wall socket since our neighbor replaced it, and so far, it hasn’t gotten hot or shown any other signs of trouble. But after what happened, I’m still nervous, and we’ll keep monitoring it closely while making plans to have a professional inspect the wiring.

By His grace, our home is still standing, and all of our pets and family members are safe. This experience has been a sobering reminder of how fragile life is and how much we rely on His mercy.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

The Bible teaches us to be grateful for God’s protection and guidance in our lives. It’s important to recognize the ways He watches over us and provides for us, sometimes through signs or experiences that guide our path. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Call to Action

This incident also made me realize the importance of being vigilant and prepared. I encourage everyone to:

1. Check your outlets and electrical cords regularly for signs of wear, overheating, or damage.

2. Avoid overloading circuits, especially with high-energy appliances like heaters and freezers.

3. Make sure your smoke detectors are working and placed in key areas of your home.

4. Have a family emergency plan in place—know where your pets are and how to get everyone out quickly.

5. Keep a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires in an easily accessible spot.

I hope our experience serves as a reminder to stay watchful and trust in God’s grace, even in moments of chaos.