On 5 Feb 2007 20:44:07 -0800, "Terry" wrote:

Across the street where we lived was a group of small houses that were
occupied mostly by the elderly.

At least once or twice a year one of the houses would burn. Smoking
in bed was sometimes the cause.


My late mom was visiting a friend in a new elders' home that had
bachelor suites with a small kitchenette. It looked so attractive and
mom was interested in getting a room there eventually. After about
two months this friend said she couldn't take it anymore and had to
leave. It was because two to three times a week the fire alarm would
go off and the rules required everyone to evacuate the building, a 12
storey tower block. Fire regulations meant they had to use the
stairs, no lifts. Then they had to wait out in the cold until the
fire truck crew gave the all clear. Her heart couldn't take that
stress. Those kitchenettes were finally removed and no cooking was
allowed in the suites. There was one too many meeals cooking on the
range that had been forgotten.