Mother's warning after sun's reflection from mirror burns daughter's book
Victoria Short smelt smoke in her home, but couldn’t find any fire.
Unbeknownst to her, a book in her daughter’s bedroom had been smouldering away as she worked from another room.
After several checks of the house offered no hints to where the smoke was coming from, Short continued work, oblivious to the fact the pages of 11-year-old Annalina’s favourite book, Code Name Bananas, were slowly becoming ash.
Annalina, who has a penchant for make-up, was gifted a dinner plate-sized desk mirror for Christmas, which had been sitting on her bookshelf beside a window ever since.
When Annalina arrived home from school, she noticed the book was burnt through its spine and halfway through the pages.
“It just didn’t make sense,” said Short, who is the deputy chair of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.
Upon further investigation, Short realised Annalina’s mirror was facing the bookshelf.
“The sunlight seems to have come through the window, hit the concave mirror, and perfectly reflected the magnified sunlight onto the corner of the book.”
Short said the incident made her feel sick to her stomach, adding that she felt lucky the book, and the rest of the bookshelf, didn't catch fire.
“I would never have imagined a mirror could have the potential to burn our house down, never in my wildest dreams. It’s just one of those things you never think twice about.”
After posting about the incident on Facebook, Short has heard of other people who have witnesses similar incidents, including someone who had left a drink bottle in their car which reflected the sun and burnt the seat.
The incident has “triggered a level of anxiety” for Short, who is now concerned about other reflective objects in her home, including a glass table.
She has used the incident as an opportunity to check her smoke alarms are in working order, while Annalina has found a new place to keep her mirror – in her wardrobe.
Fire and Emergency NZ national advisor for fire risk management Peter Gallagher said mirrors, glasses, ornaments and plastic water bottles can reflect and focus the sun’s rays and become a fire danger.
Fires caused by this were rare, however people should consider moving flammable items away or cover any reflective surfaces.
Has something similar happened to you? Email me at caroline.williams@stuff.co.nz
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
affordable daycare
Dear Neighbours,
In light of the increasing expenses that we all face, we understand the challenges of managing our finances. That is why we would like to offer a solution for families in our community.
At our childcare center Secret Garden ELC located at 428 Albany Highway, we are pleased to provide 30 hours of free care for all children until they are ready to start school. We believe that every child deserves access to quality early education, which is why we want to make it affordable for all families.
Any additional hours beyond the 30 free hours will be charged at a flexible rate to ensure that it is comfortable for you to pay. You can choose booking hours between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm, giving you the flexibility to fit childcare into your schedule.
Our center boasts a large outdoor area with fruit trees, perfect for physical activities and exploration. We have two cozy rooms for different age groups and a friendly teaching team, with 80 percent of our staff being qualified professionals.
We understand the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for young children, and we strive to create a place where they can learn and grow happily.
If you are interested in learning more about our childcare services or would like to schedule a visit, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to support you and your family in any way we can. Our contact phone is 09 4150535, email info@secretgarden4kids.co.nz
Thank you for your attention.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
-
91.3% Yes
-
8.2% No
-
0.5% Other - I'll share below!
Loading…
