The Los Angeles Fire Department says it is responding to an increasing number of calls for people trapped in elevators.
The NBC4 I-Team spoke to LAFD Captain Erik Scott to find out what you should—and should never—do if you get stuck in one.
DO:
- Take a deep breath, stay calm;
- Push the "Call" button. This will start a two-way communication with the building engineer so they can send an expert to help;
- If you can't get through, call 9-1-1;
- Stay patient and wait. You're safe inside the elevator and rescuers should be able to free you quickly
DON'T:
- Don't try to open doors. You don't know when the power might turn back on and the elevator could start moving;
- Don't climb out the top. Those ceiling doors are locked from the outside to prevent people trying to climb out where there's more danger
- Don't try to push your way out if the doors partially open. The elevator could start moving and could cause severe injury.
The I-Team discovered a shocking number of elevators are way past due on their annual inspections. Lolita Lopez reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019.
