Fire Brigade Call Out For Non Emergency

[Ric.ror]

My elderly mother has locked herself in a flat and cannot open the door - lock must be faulty
Can I call the fire brigade or is it too trivial

[EDDIE51]

You can call the fire brigade they are very helpfull . I would rate this as an emergency as she could have an accident , definately call them,

[ummmm]

What about a lock smith? Get her to check her insurance because she might be covered for it.

[daffy654]

Could you call her local fire station (rather than 999) for advice, they may know a locksmith who can go round without the need for tying up a full fire crew.

[EDDIE51]

Call the fire brigade , they will come unless there is a more serious emergency. They can make a charge if they think it is not an emergency but the insurance will cover the cost.

[ummmm]

Mine does Eddie.

[ummmm]

Sorry...still half asleep. I thought you said will 'not' cover the cost.

[Mick-Talbot]

What equipment will the fire brigade have to unlock the door?

[EDDIE51]

A bloody great sledge hammer Mick.
Only joking they have tools to open a door easily with minimal damage.

[ummmm]

But surely it's still better to go to a locksmith?

[EDDIE51]

A lock smith will charge at least £100 and probably take an hour or so to arrive. The fire brigade will almost certainly class this as an emergency , due to the fact that the old lady could have an accident or hurt herself they probably will not charge her. I know several firemen and they come out for far less than this and almost never charge , they look at it as training,

[ummmm]

ok...Go with Eddie's suggestion then Ric.

[Barmaid]

This happened to a mate of mine. She managed to get herself locked in her bedroom with her young son on his own downstairs. She felt awful for calling the fire brigade, but they told her in no uncertain terms that she did the right thing since it could have prevented something serious.

[vodkancoke]

Just out of curiosity, would it be a 999 call or would you look up the number to your local fire brigade?

[Ric.ror]

Firstly let me thank you all for your answers
I got a taxi to her flat - the taxi driver said he would have a look at it for me
When I got to the flat I opened the door straight away
It's her key that is faulty - another errand for me tomorrow
Once again thanks for your help
I have actually been quite touched

[vodkancoke]

Oh bless her, I hope she is ok Ric.ror x

[ummmm]

aww Nice taxi driver.

Sometimes we forget how nice people are :-)

[Zacs-Master]

Jeez.

[Ric.ror]

Oh she's fine
She's 85 and what I call a creeking gate
If you speak to her she's at deaths door and has been for about 20 years
I say she will outlive us all

[Dee Sa]

sorry but where is this old lady whilst we r all debating this matter ?

[Barmaid]

Dee Sa, clearly she is fine and in her own home - Ric.ror having been over there in a taxi to make sure.