Problem: Smoke detector needs a new battery. Smoke detector is at the highest vault in the ceiling, at least 20' up. You have a 10' ladder.
Solution: Call plumber friend who has an extension ladder and ask if he could bring his ladder and change the battery. Plumber friend sends 21 year old helper guy, but he doesn't have the extension ladder on his truck. Helper guy leaves and returns with extension ladder and a second helper guy about age 22. It takes these young fellows about 20 minutes just to figure out to get the ladder up against the wall without breaking furniture, putting a hole in the TV set or windows, or gouging the wall. It takes 5 seconds to change the battery. It takes another 15 minutes for the guys to get the ladder back down the wall and out the door without breaking furniture, putting a hole in the TV set or windows, or gouging the wall.
Now, I'll have to wait and see if my friend sends me a bill for this little service. At plumbers rates, getting the smoke detector battery changed could cost over $100. But that's probably cheap compared to having to rent a ladder, then waiting for my husband and one of my boys to have the time to actually change the battery. In the mean time, I would slowly be driven mad by the beep.........beep.........beep.
2 comments:
This is the main reason I do not like high ceilings! Maybe the fire department should offer a battery replacement service for smoke alarms on ceilings over 9 feet high.
Actually, calling the fire department was my next option if the plumber friend didn't work out. If they can spend time get cats out of trees, shouldn't they be willing to install a few smoke detectors?
Post a Comment