10/03/2022
Activities to perform when stuck in a lift or elevator to ensure your safety.
This write up may be lengthy but worth reading. Kindly take time read carefully.
1. Stay calm.
Try to keep a clear head so you don’t jeopardize your safety. A clear head will also make sound decision-making a lot easier. If you’re in the elevator with other people, try to calm them down, too. Do a breathing exercise or count down from 100—anything to avoid hysteria. Apartment elevators are incredibly safe, and your life is probably not in danger.
2. Find a light source.
If the elevator lights are out, you’ve probably already turned on your phone light or used a keychain light to see. Be careful not to drain your phone’s battery. Use the flashlight to see the elevator buttons and count how many people are in the elevator.
3. Press the “door open” button.
Occasionally, a stuck elevator needs a little bit of troubleshooting 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 an elevator. If neither works, try pressing the button for a floor below you. You may be laughing, but this quick fix could save you ample time and stress. If these three buttons aren’t working, however, don’t mash them. You might compromise the electronics.
4. Press the call button.
Use your flashlight to find 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 elevator. If you successfully connect with a maintenance technician, they will be on their way.
5. Press the alarm button.
The alarm button in an elevator 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.
6. Yell for help.
If you still can’t get anyone’s attention, try yelling for help. You can also bang a shoe or other object on the door. Sound travels well through an elevator shaft and could alert people throughout the building that you need help. Though it may be difficult, remember to remain calm while you’re making noise.
7. Wait it out.
Even if you do none of the steps above, you have an excellent chance of escaping the apartment elevator within minutes. People throughout the building will notice almost immediately that the elevator is not functioning properly and will call for assistance.