Does that ring any alarm bells?
By Wizzywig
@Wizzywig (7847)
April 21, 2010 1:15pm CST
As always, it seemed like a good idea to avail myself of the toilet facilities as I waited for my appointment but, as I picked up my bag, the handle got entwined with the red alarm cord! I could hear that I'd set off the alarm but, I knew there would be a reset button to stop it. I grabbed at that - only to find I'd actually pulled the emergency button and there was infact another button above it with the word "RESET" clearly written on it. Although I'd been pretty quick with the button, I did expect to be reprimanded but, since there was no-one around I just went back to my seat and assumed my normal angelic expression.
I also accidentally set off my personal alarm as I went into the Magistrates Court - no-one even glanced over.
Of course, I was saved from embarrassment in both situations but... what if I'd set those alarms of because something was actually wrong??
So, have you accidentally set off an alarm or have you intentionally set one off to summon assistance? And, did anyone react?
4 people like this
7 responses
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
22 Apr 10
As far as I know, I have never accidentally set off an alarm. I did intentionally set of the "needs assistance" alarm twice at a hospital (the same hospital but two separate times with two different people in need of assistance), and nobody responded to the alarm. The one time I had to leave my sister to go get help, even though she really needed me with her until someone else could come. The other time I was the one that needed assistance, and I had to wait until somebody walked by that I could yell to, and they were nice enough to get someone to come and help me. It really is quite sad and extremely scary when you have to wait over fifteen minutes for assistance when you are in the hospital and ring the alarm!
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
22 Apr 10
I work on a hospital ward and, if someone presses their call button, we answer it as quickly as possible. On occasions, during meal breaks, there may only be 3 or 4 staff to cover 32 patients. It's not unusual for 3 or 4 people to need the toilet at the same time and maybe another bedbound patient who needs their soiled sheets changing. If the emergency button sounds everyone goes! I do think its dreadful that people have to wait even for the routine things and it upsets me knowing that I cant get to them.
2 people like this
@Wizzywig (7847)
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22 Apr 10
I'm a Clinical Support Worker (Healthcare Worker, Nurses Aide) and we are usually the ones to answer the call buzzers. If the patient needs something that only a qualified nurse can do (like dispensing medication), we just pass their request on. I always said that I would never do a job like that and, when I started there, I said I'd give it 3 months... that was 2 years ago. I've seen a fair bit of the hospital from a patients perspective over the last few months and most of the staff have been brilliant.
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
22 Apr 10
You sound like a wonderful nurse, and I have had some really great ones like you seem to be.
When I had my little one, I had a C-section with some complications, so I needed more assistance than I really wanted. The nurses were fantastic there, and if I rang the call button they responded immediately via intercom and then showed up literally about a minute later, especially if it was something important. I wish that all hospitals and nurses were like that, because it is bad enough being scared and helpless in the hospital without having to worry that something serious is going to happen to you (or your loved one) and nobody will be there to help.
When I had my little one, I had a C-section with some complications, so I needed more assistance than I really wanted. The nurses were fantastic there, and if I rang the call button they responded immediately via intercom and then showed up literally about a minute later, especially if it was something important. I wish that all hospitals and nurses were like that, because it is bad enough being scared and helpless in the hospital without having to worry that something serious is going to happen to you (or your loved one) and nobody will be there to help.1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169452)
• United States
22 Apr 10
I have accidentally done the pull cord thing, and reset it,
just as you did. They must be used to people like us. I do not have a personal alarm. I notice that no one responds to car alarms much anymore. That must be why we hear fewer of them, people noticed that they did not attract anyone.
Oh, but walk out a door of a store with something not de magnetized and all those friendly door greeters become rabid in their pursuit of you, the erstwhile criminal. I bought a new billfold and it never got demagnetized, because the strip was too far buried. It was okay if it was down in a bag, but let me walk in or out with it in my hand and it was lights and sirens. Even a store manager tried to help. I may leave the rest of the story, as it will make a good discussion.
just as you did. They must be used to people like us. I do not have a personal alarm. I notice that no one responds to car alarms much anymore. That must be why we hear fewer of them, people noticed that they did not attract anyone. Oh, but walk out a door of a store with something not de magnetized and all those friendly door greeters become rabid in their pursuit of you, the erstwhile criminal. I bought a new billfold and it never got demagnetized, because the strip was too far buried. It was okay if it was down in a bag, but let me walk in or out with it in my hand and it was lights and sirens. Even a store manager tried to help. I may leave the rest of the story, as it will make a good discussion.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
3 May 10
Cool! Personally I think that this entire situation has arisen from a subconscious desire to be commended for your work on the throne. Much the same as when we are potty trained as a child and will proudly call out to Mum or Dad to hurry and see our achievement! Alas, the masses did not come running to witness the gloriousness of your handiwork (arseiwork would be more appropriate I guess); but you did at least get to push buttons! This would also explain the setting off of the personal alarm in court. It's all about the buttons.....
I raised the alarm once, but I put it straight back down again once I realised there was no wolf.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Apr 10
I have set off alarms in a few of the work places that I have worked over the years. I have had keys to quite a few of these places and had to open up early or work late lots of times and been the only one there. There was the odd occasion when I forgot about the alarm and just walked straight in, setting it off. Other times, I punched the wrong numbers in and had to wait before I could put the correct ones in. 
Once when I did this, it triggered an alarm at the security companies headquarters and they rang my boss. He then rang the workshop and I answered apologetically and explained that it was just me. Most times when I did this in other places, there was no response like this, just a lot of noise! 
There was another time when I locked up the factory on a weekend and went out to my car and then realised that the keys to my car were still inside on my toolbox. I had to break into the factory by undoing some of the bolts on the tin walls using some old tools that I found in a wrecked car in the yard. Once I had a hole big enough to crawl through, I slid in and got my keys as quickly as I could, but I still think I set the alarm off that day as well. 
Once when I did this, it triggered an alarm at the security companies headquarters and they rang my boss. He then rang the workshop and I answered apologetically and explained that it was just me. Most times when I did this in other places, there was no response like this, just a lot of noise!
There was another time when I locked up the factory on a weekend and went out to my car and then realised that the keys to my car were still inside on my toolbox. I had to break into the factory by undoing some of the bolts on the tin walls using some old tools that I found in a wrecked car in the yard. Once I had a hole big enough to crawl through, I slid in and got my keys as quickly as I could, but I still think I set the alarm off that day as well. @Wizzywig (7847)
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21 Apr 10
How very resourceful... of course, the problem there is that you left the place open for anyone as small as you to get in 
- I can imagine the scene as you pop your head out of the hole on the way out to be faced by a "jobsworth" security guy or a policeman. Explain your way out of this one sunshine!@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Apr 10
No. Once I had opened up and turned off the alarm, I then got some of my tools and bolted the wall back together. There was no damage and I don't think I told anyone about it either!
Yep, luckily the security guards were not patrolling the area at that particular time!
Yep, luckily the security guards were not patrolling the area at that particular time! 
@hexeduser22 (7418)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
That was one cute experience setting alarms off by accident. As far as I can remember I have not set off any alarm accidentally but intentionally yes I did. I pushed a fire alarm once out of curiosity and viola, the alarm didn't went off because the freaking emergency button is actually broken
@hexeduser22 (7418)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
I didn't try pushing alarms again I might not get lucky the next time I try and the experience did not satisfy my curiosity because when I took the risked the damn thing was broken
@BarBaraPrz (51813)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Apr 10
No and no, but now I know how you have fun...
