Probably Should Have Called Maintenance

A Day In The Life...

Sometimes, when you’re in a panic, it’s hard to know where to turn for help. Here’s a story, submitted by a property manager in Fort Worth, about a mother and her kids who needed help in a hurry.

Probably Should Have Called Maintenance

Two young brothers were home alone one afternoon.  The teenage brother was playing with his younger sibling, sailing a couple of paper airplanes around their apartment.

The older brother threw his airplane out and it took a crazy turn that sent it flying up into the fireplace.  This tall young man decided he would use his long arm to reach up inside the fireplace to fish out the airplane.

The only problem with this plan was that he got his arm stuck in the shaft—no amount of struggling would free his limb.  In fact, it seemed to make matters worse.

A Costly Adventure

Not long after the boy’s entrapment, his mother came home.  Seeing her son in distress, she reacted quickly (as moms do!), and dialed 9-1-1.

The fire department arrived, sirens blaring.  My staff and I scurried down to the scene to see what was causing all the commotion.

We watched as their emergency team tore out the entire fireplace and eventually freed the boy.  In tears, he rushed over to his mother, embarrassed by all the attention.

The fireplace repair ended up costing the poor mother $1,500.  Our maintenance man later remarked, “Funny how a one-dollar paper airplane cost that poor mom so much money.  I could have saved him for free!”

‍

From the book I Have a Complex, But I'm Managing It!,  stories from property managers compiled by Monica E. Simmons.

Monica E. Simmons, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for JDC Enterprises, LLC, has worked in the multi-family industry in several different capacities since 1987. She is a published author whose books include; I Have A Complex, But I’m Managing It!, It Happened in The Hill Country and 30-Love.  

‍

Contact her at: Monica@TheVendorGuide.com