My son Andrew has become very anal when it comes to jacking up cars after a pit incident I had not long ago. While jacking the car up on un-even ground Andrew started shouting at "stubborn ol' dad" that the car is unstable and should be moved forward to a flatter surface although I felt the car was plenty secure....until it fell off the stands...
I guess your kids know best sometimes.
That is a real shame about your neighbor. There's no doubt that tragedy that won't escape your mind and will most likely keep you up many nights, for a long time.