Getting stuck in a lift can be a stressful and upsetting experience, but it actually happens more often than you think.
If you do get stuck in a lift in an apartment block or building of any kind, follow these tips to alleviate stress and ensure a speedy resolution.
- Call 999 with your mobile phone if you have service. Otherwise, read on.
- Stay calm and try to keep a clear head so you don’t jeopardize your safety. A clear head will also you to make sound decisions. If you’re in the lift with other people, try to calm them down, too. Try a breathing exercise or counting down from 100 is useful when trying to calm yourself or others down.
- Find a source of light. If the lift lights are out, use the torch on your mobile phone to generate a light source – but be careful not to drain your phone’s battery. Use the flashlight to see the lift buttons and to count how many people are in the lift.
- Press the “door open” button. Occasionally, a stuck lift needs a little bit of troubleshooting and this may be something you can do yourself. Start by pressing the “door open” button and see if that works, then press the “door close” button. Both of these can get jammed and stop a lift from working. If neither works, try pressing the button for a floor below you.
- Press the “call” button. Use your torch to locate the “call” button, usually marked with the image of a phone. Pressing it will contact a technician to come and help you. It will also alert the maintenance staff that there is a problem with the lift.
- Press the “alarm” button. The alarm button in a lift is usually hooked up to a bell that rings to alert people that someone is stuck inside and needs assistance. If you are unable to contact maintenance, ring the bell periodically. People in the building are very likely to hear the alarm and notify someone who can assist you.
- Shout for help. If you still can’t get anyone’s attention, try shouting for help. You can also try banging an object on the lift door. Sound travels well through a lift shaft and could alert people in the building that you need help.
- Be patient. Even if you do none of the steps above, you have an excellent chance of escaping the lift within minutes. People throughout the building will notice almost immediately that the lift is not functioning properly and will call for assistance.
If you’ve managed to make contact with maintenance or emergency personnel, sit tight. Lift entrapment calls are taken seriously, and you’ll likely find yourself freed quickly.
