"Same with washers, there can be a hose break or broken fill part -- and you want to be there to nip it in the bud. When the washer is not in use, turn off its water source to cut the pressure on the hoses. The hoses can burst, leaving a running water hose in your house." To minimize the hassle factor and likelihood of human error (especially if multiple people use the washer), there are several gadgets you can get that either automatically turn on the water only when the washing machine is in use, or sound an alarm and shut off the water (instead of just sounding the alarm) when a leak is detected, which work with MANY different appliances and fixtures. This is especially useful if you cannot reach the shutoffs easily - climbing over the washing machine is a distinct drag, BTDT! Also, replacing the plastic hoses that come with most appliances with braided-steel-encased ones significantly reduces the possibility of blowouts. For the average $500 homeowner's insurance deductible you can outfit multiple appliances, and most of these things are easy enough to install that the average homeowner can do it. There are also more expensive automatic detectors/shutoffs that can be hooked right into a housewide security system. Your homeowner's insurance company may even give you a credit on your policy for having these sorts of things installed - ask, the worst they can say is no! These are just a couple of the many products out there to choose from: Watts Intelliflow automatic washing machine valve - Watts website FloodStop automatic shutoffs for washing machines, dishwashers, icemakers, water heaters, toilets, sinks, etc. - manufacturer website Water Controller Inc. offers the AquaGate and Leak Controller In addition, consider having your gate-valve shutoffs (has a sort of star-shaped knob, takes several turns to open/close) changed over to ball-valve shutoffs (long lever that only moves 1/4 turn) if you have a plumber at your house for something else. Ball valves are SO much easier and faster to operate, especially with wet hands, you can see easily whether the valve is open or closed, and they are less likely to malfunction with age. There is a special "two-in-one" ball valve made especially for laundry hookups where flipping one lever opens and closes both valves instead of having to smash your knuckles turning that little knob. Don't forget your carbon monoxide detectors, either! The fire department here recommends separate CO and smoke alarms, both so that if one goes kaput you still have the other functioning and also because the optimal location for a smoke alarm isn't necessarily the best for a CO one. Hardwired or plug-in ones should have a battery backup.

It's hard to imagine how this could have happened and the aftermath looked horrific. Such a sweet-looking town.

Oh how terrible for this to happen so close to the holidays. Please let us know when they find the kitty. She's fortunate to have you helping them out. They'll be in my prayers.

"If you PAN SEAR a steak on a pro range, you have an oven directly beneath." Yes, if one has a pro range (or any range), your ovens are underneath. That setup works for some and not for others for a variety of reasons. My specific comment was about having a separate rangetop and wall ovens where the wall ovens were in a "baking zone" on the other side of the kitchen, which was really inconvenient a LOT of the time for US. "are these steaks a nightly meal with kids?" Well, we live on and raise cattle so we have steak a lot more than the typical consumer, At least once a week, including tonight :) "As with all other spaces, you plan for most of the time. You plan for the daily grind. " Yep, I totally agree and each of our daily grinds differs from others. My daily grind does not include me wanting to bend over farther than necessary to lift things (lower back and joint issues) so having a separate cooktop and ovens nearby is what is most ergonomic for me. But, there again, each has to design their kitchen for what works best for them, including the OP. I highly suggest she spend a considerable amount of time analyzing her own kitchen habits and design a kitchen based on that instead of worrying so much about symmetry. And I agree that the GE Monogram range is gorgeous. If I could be converted to a pro gas range it would be a strong contender, especially since a good friend of ours is a GE dealer and could get us a great price :)