UhOhToons · Fire and home
Stuck in an Elevator? How You Get Out Safe
Stuck in an elevator between floors? Here's exactly how you get out safe.
What not to do
- Don't pry the doors open.
- Don't try to climb out. Not the doors, not the top.
- Don't climb out. Wait.
This really happened
January 2019, New York City: a woman was stuck in a home elevator for about three days before firefighters opened the doors. Read the report
Every word of the Short
Your elevator just stopped. Between floors. The lights flicker. Here's exactly how you get out safe. Don't pry the doors open. Don't try to climb out. Not the doors, not the top. That's how people get hurt.
One. Ring the alarm. Push the alarm button.
Two. Use the elevator phone. Press the call button. Tell them three things. The building. The elevator number. The floors you're stuck between. No answer? Got your own phone? Call or text someone. Tell them you're stuck, and where.
Three. Calm down. You won't run out of air. There's plenty. Move to the back. Face the doors. Or sit on the floor. That's fine too.
Four. Wait for help. It's coming. Say it out loud, so everyone hears it. Help is coming. Keep the doors shut. You're safer inside. Doors open, but the floor is way up or way down? Don't climb out. Wait. Only step out when firefighters or building workers say so. Is someone hurt, or very sick? Call 911. Say it with me. Alarm. Phone. Calm. Wait. And if there's ever a fire, never take the elevator. Take the stairs. Follow UhOhToons to live.
Sources
Every step in this video comes from these sources. We re-read each one before the video went out.
