What To Do If You're Stuck In A Lift

The sit-com scenario of being trapped in a lift with the person you fancy is an all-time classic. The two get to talk, share their feelings and air out the situation between them. It can be comical, it can be romantic. But if it happens to you, you might not be finding it that funny. In the event of it happening, you need to know what to do.

So read on to find out what to do when you’re stuck in a lift.



Don’t Panic

You need to try and remain calm so you can make informed and rational decisions. Being stuck in a lift is usually not life-threatening, just an inconvenience. If you do find yourself panicking, try to take deep breaths, count to 100 or make a list in your head to distract yourself. If you’re stuck with others, talk to them to keep yourself occupied. They’ll probably be feeling the same as you, so you’ll both benefit from the chat.

Get Your Phone Out

Your phone can have a variety of uses in the event of being stuck in a lift. If the lights are out, you can use the torch setting to see by. If you have a signal, try calling the building's reception or the fire brigade to let them know you’re trapped and get them started on attempting to free you. You can even distract yourself with a game or two to kill time as you wait for rescue. Just make sure your phone isn’t going to die on you, as this isn’t the safest idea if you’re trapped.

Try Some Buttons

Sometimes the best way to fix a stuck elevator is to try the buttons. It might seem stupid and probably won’t work but hit the door open button to see what happens, even if it just opens one set of doors you’re halfway to being free! Most elevators have a call button that you can use to speak to a technician that will come to assist you. Alternatively, there might be an alarm button that will ring a bell and notify someone that you need assistance.

Make Some Noise!

If you haven’t been able to call out or communicate with anyone, the next best thing is to shout for help or bang on the door. Sound travels well up and down elevator shafts so someone should hopefully be able to hear you and try to assist you.

Just Wait

There’s no point launching into Rambo mode, climbing out the top of the elevator and attempting to shimmy up the cables to safety. You’ll probably end up putting yourself in more danger than the original situation. Unless you’re exploring an abandoned building at 3 in the morning, they’ll probably be other people who will notice the elevator isn’t functioning and alert someone to your plight. You’ll be free from the situation in no time at all!

ADL Lift Services

If you’re worried about the lifts in your building breaking down, get in touch with ADL Lift Services Ltd on 01698 277 009 to book a lift service or repair. We also offer lift installations, modernisations and designs across the UK so visit our website now to see our full range of services.