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View Full Version : How to Make Sure Emergency Personnel Get in Your House--I Learned the Hard Way

Wild Hawg
05-19-2009, 04:42 PM
Awhile back, a friend called me and when I didn't make any sense on the phone he hung up and called 911 and reported my low blood sugar. A few minutes later the fire department had a truck at my house and my friend got there, too. I was so low I didn't respond when they tried to get me to come to the door, so eventually the firemen had to break through my door so they could treat me.

After paying several hundred dollars to repair damages, I learned the hard way about something I should have had to allow emergency access to my house. It is called a Knox box and it holds a house key inside it. Only the local fire department has a key to unlock it. I highly recommend this to everyone. It literally could mean the difference between life and death.

I am not affiliated with this company in any way--I don't work there and am not a stockholder. It is just a smart way to protect yourself should a bad situation occur and you need outside help like I did. I put one on my house later, and I would have saved a lot of money if I had one before the fire department had to break into my house. The website is KNOX-BOX knoxbox knox box key box fire keybox system fdc caps plugs key cabinets medvault narcotics locker drug locker fire department (http://www.knoxbox.com).
JediSkipdogg
05-19-2009, 05:03 PM
Knox Boxes are the greatest things in the world. ONLY Fire Departments have access to them (Police don't) and are required by all businesses. The city I work for the Fire Department will install them on your house and I believe they are fairly cheap.

They are definitely cheaper than a door replacement and much nicer for the fire personnel responding to the house.
DCaplinger
05-19-2009, 07:42 PM
As I love to say... when knocking doesn't work... there is always brute force! LOL.

I've had to break many a window to gain access to patients. Why would you break a door? Windows are typically much cheaper and easier to replace than a solid core external door. Plus, it's easier to secure a home with a broken window than it is one with a broken door. Why cost the patient any more than you have to?

EDIT: Kicking a door open may look cool on COPS, but in real life, we only do that during the most extreme of situations.

Regards,
patricia52
05-20-2009, 07:16 AM
When all fire departments have access to home with the knox box, then theives will also get access. Some firemen are dishonest, just like there are a few dishonest cops. We can never be 100% safe.
Moreno
05-20-2009, 08:08 AM
lol. That is funny, but your alive and that is what counts. I am sure to get a Knox Box sometime in the future. :)
Olidus
05-20-2009, 08:12 AM
Not to jump topics - but I always find myself interested in other parts of peoples stories.
What was the cause of your low? Miscalculation?
Kudos on your friend picking up on your low.
art
05-20-2009, 08:18 AM
Why doesn't your "friend" have a key to your house?

Art
genie86333
05-20-2009, 08:07 PM
When all fire departments have access to home with the knox box, then theives will also get access. Some firemen are dishonest, just like there are a few dishonest cops. We can never be 100% safe.

This is true, but if they really want in (to steal something) they can break a window just as easily as anyone else.
Wild Hawg
05-20-2009, 09:18 PM
Why doesn't your "friend" have a key to your house?

Art

If everyone I know had a key my house would not be safe.
genie86333
05-20-2009, 10:08 PM
If everyone I know had a key my house would not be safe.

Very true. I have *one* friend with a key to my house. Mainly so he has a spare if I lose mine, but also so he can get into the house if necessary.
Crash220
05-21-2009, 06:09 AM
No good for me,,, it appears my local FD is not involved,, yet.

Tom
ghostb
05-21-2009, 06:34 AM
yeah...mine either...i think they're busy rescuing cats from trees :D
thisstinks
05-23-2009, 12:07 PM
I Keep A Garage Door Opener By My Bed
JediSkipdogg
05-23-2009, 12:58 PM
I Keep A Garage Door Opener By My Bed

Another thing one can do, and many police departments can do this depending on how they are run....

If one has a keypad for the garage they can give the keypad code to the police department to put in their system. That way if the police are dispatched as well they can go to the garage, enter the code, and get in the house. Of course, this assumes one doesn't lock the door from the garage to the house. We have many elderly homeowners do this so we can gain easy access in an emergency.

The one thing we won't do is keep an actual key to the house, but we love knox boxes and garage keypads.