Don't Vacuum Fire

Well the title seems simple enough doesn't it. It should go without saying...it should, but apparently it doesn't. I've heard of the warning label stuff before. Did you know, the warning label on preparation H that says "Do not take orally."? Some genius had to try that (all he could do was drink from a straw for a week) or the label wouldn't be there. But who would have thought that you would need a label on the vacuum that informs the user of the hazards of vacuuming fire.

Case in point...

A lady in our church - we'll call her Rhonda (because that's her real name) - was recently at home on a cold afternoon. She started a fire in the fire place and went about her business. Later while adding some logs to the fire, a few hot coals fell out of the fire place and onto the ground. She quickly grabbed her vacuum and cleaned up the mess. A few minutes later, she smelled smoke. She walked back into the living room to discover her vacuum on fire. Frantically, she threw the vacuum out of the house into the edge of the woods that lined her back yard. Yes, this gets better. When her husband came home and entered the front door, he smelled the smoke and asked Rhonda what happened. She told him the sad story as he walked to the back of the house. Just as she was finishing the part of the story where she disposed of the vacuum, he said, "Rhonda, where did you put the vacuum?" Only then did it dawn on her that the woods were not the best place to put a flaming vacuum. As they rushed outside, they saw their back yard going up in smoke. Thankfully, they were able to put the blaze out before the house burned down.

Now I know this is just one lady. But...this was not just one event. I know this sounds unbelievable, but it is the truth. This was the second vacuum Rhonda caught on fire by vacuuming fire. So just for your information and safety (in case you are like Rhonda and couldn't figure it out on your own)...don't vacuum fire.

And, it's cold and raining today. I wish I had a fire.