Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If there was an emergency right now would you be ready for it?

107 replies

Deanandthellhounds · 28/02/2023 22:31

if thw police or ambulance knocked the door right now would your house be OK to let them in?

if there was a fire (not blocking exits) or a family emergency/ trip to a and e needed right now could you get out of the house or everyone dressed and out relatively easily and quickly?

OP posts:
Ketchupwee · 28/02/2023 23:49

If there was an emergency requiring police or an ambulance, the state of my house would be the last thing in my mind

QueenOfWeeds · 28/02/2023 23:56

We were burgled fairly recently and I have to admit I was really glad I had mopped the kitchen floor on a bedtime whim the night before.

I have a fire plan, although not sure I ever shared it with DH, so I should do that…

CharlotteRose90 · 01/03/2023 00:02

My house currently looks like a shithole as I’m decorating and move stuff about but ofcourse I’d let them in.

again if there was an emergency or fire whatever I’d grab my bag and passport and my dog. Oh and car keys and off I go . Not sure anyone would appreciate my sports bra and shorts but if I need to leave I will:

Daffodilsandtuplips · 01/03/2023 00:13

Forgooodnesssakenow · 28/02/2023 23:34

If my husband has to pack for an unexoectantbhospital admission I get a back of clothes I swear he's never seen me wear, a pair of jeans that don't fit, a pair of pyjama bottoms, wool jumpers in summer, maxi dresses in winter. It's ridiculous, hes an adult man who does more than half the laundry but ask him to pack a spare bra some pants and 2 outfits and he's like a drunk stranger rummaging.

Bad enough being in hospital, advocating with consultants without looking like a homeless bag of laundry

Show quote history

I was like your husband when mine was blue lighted to A&E. We had a fast response vehicle and a paramedic ambulance in attendance, with four paramedics. We live 30 minutes from our hospital so there’s always a fast response vehicle parked up in the local fire station, they come out on a 999 emergency call, they can’t transport patients though.
They asked me to pack a bag for DH, but to be quick as it was a suspected stroke…which it turned out to be.
I totally went blank..he doesn’t wear PJ’s but has a pair from his last hospital stay…back in 2008… I looked but couldn’t find them, so he went off with three pairs of shorts, three t shirts, socks, undies, a bag of toiletries but no dressing gown. All packed in a leopard print hold-all.
He did have his slippers on, and was fully dressed though.
He’s fully recovered now.

Pinkypurplecloud · 01/03/2023 00:34

Deanandthellhounds · 28/02/2023 22:39

I'll go first,
my downstairs isclean but upstairs a mess so if there was a fire right now there might be tripping over toys, standing on lego trying to get out. kids are in pj's but I'm in vest and knickers (anyone remember pe in nursery?) so I'd have to get dressing gown on.

if police or ambulance had to come in, I'd be fine of they dated downstairs bit I would be embarrassed if they went upstairs (to the loo or something)

I don't have a hospital bag ready if we ever needed to go quickly. when my son fell off his bike and suspected he broke his arm I went to a and e right away but had to run home to grab a bag first, no change in the house for vending machines or quick snacks or drinks to take so we went to the shop first (approx 12 hour wait, we were there for longer)

Another time the ambulance people came in and I had my Dirty washing next to the washing machine and a big pile of washing to fold on the sofa. I don't even know why I was embarrassed but I was.

The vast majority of the population don’t sleep fully dressed, with a hospital bag packed and an immaculate house OP. Nonetheless I’d happily let in any emergency services if I needed them. And I could pack a hospital bag in 2 minutes, I’ve done it before in an emergency. The ambulance people were completely absorbed in the medical situation unfolding, I seriously doubt they even noticed what I looked like much less my laundry heap.

The one I always ponder is what I’d do in a bushfire/tsunami evacuation type situation (I live in an urban part of a wet and not coastal area of the U.K., it’s an unlikely scenario) - where would I drive to, do I know where the important paperwork is, the hard drives, the medicines, the water stop cock etc etc. I reckon I could get out in fairly organised fashion in about ten/twenty minutes if I really had to.

Sceptre86 · 01/03/2023 00:51

Yes and yes. I tidy before I go to bed everynught. The hallways are kept clear of toys especially because dd2 might wake in the night and I wouldn't want to trip and hurt myself on the way to her.

GreenLampOfLove · 01/03/2023 00:59

FlamingoSocks · 28/02/2023 22:46

The shift wasn’t under the duvet, to clarify. I am now under the duvet, having worked the shift.

The clarification is appreciated

Rebel2 · 01/03/2023 01:08

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 28/02/2023 22:34

We are the ambulance, and our neighbour is fire. DH works with the police on his ambulance so if any or all of them knocked on the door my main problem would be finding enough biscuits for them.

That's like when I had to ring 111 from my then work (long story) and they said if I got worse in any way to ring 999
Me "I am... 999.. I could call myself?"
In the end they decided I was fairly safe (sat with 2 advanced paramedics, a trauma doctor and god knows who else!

Gingerkittykat · 01/03/2023 01:09

The police and an ambulance were called to a relative who had self harmed (the police came first to check if there were any blades and make sure it was safe for paramedics). Their house was in such a poor state that a referral to adult social services was made.

If there was a fire in my house my first priority would be getting people and animals out so doubt very much if I would have time to get dressed or worry about anything else.

If I or a family member needed a trip to A and E then I would be able to grab medication and a clean set of clothes within a few minutes.

Rebel2 · 01/03/2023 01:13

Paramedics actually helped me get dressed when they were here. I had a top and shorts on but they helped me get trousers and shoes on
Unfortunately the top I had on was a gym t shirt that said "hard, fast, no cuddling after" Blush

I didn't even notice until I got home as I was on gas and air and didn't care about anything

Igenix4 · 01/03/2023 01:52

If any of the emergency services knocked on my door I think my untidy kitchen would be low on my list of worries at that moment

Stompythedinosaur · 01/03/2023 02:18

I would not be worried about tidiness in that situation!

But, yes, I could get everyone out. We had a wildfire get close to the house a few months back and we were about to work out how to evacuate the dc, dog, cats, guinea pigs, rats, mice and ducks in a fairly short period.

LadyJ2023 · 01/03/2023 02:23

Erm yes yes yes I mean are they coming round to see if we are tidy or something 🤣

Earlydancing · 01/03/2023 02:24

To be honest, my house is such a mess, if a fire started, I'd have to let it keep burning to destroy the clutter. It's the only way the firemen would get in safely. 😳
If it was an ambulance, I'd have to drag the sick person outside to be treated there.
I really do have to get this house sorted!

WinterMusings · 01/03/2023 07:03

StJulian2023 · 28/02/2023 23:45

Your good planning paid off for sure 😊 None of us have ever had emergency hospital care (we are sort of lucky - DH died v young so not really) so this wasn’t on my radar, but considering it now

Show quote history

@StJulian2023

I'm very sorry about your DH, that's so sad.

yeah, before my first (adult) admission I hadn't been near a hospital since I had my tonsils out at 7.

The first was for sudden onset appendix, no warnings. Got a 'Go to hospital, do not pass go'. Very septic.

second was an accident while out walking.

No I'll health or anything to warn for either admission.

so now it stays packed, causes no problems, so why not? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Itsmyturnnow1 · 01/03/2023 07:07

Weird question! In an emergency, not sure anyone cares about washing hanging up! I work as admin in the hospital and have heard about some states peoples houses are in when emergency services enter.. think urine soaked beds etc! Although I will add, when I was first pregnant, I had horrific stomach pain and fainted.. I told my husband to ring an ambulance.. as they arrived I’d just been to the toilet and had an upset tummy.. and I was thinking omg, there’s three paramedics standing in the hall way and I am sure they can smell that!! However, I know they’ve seen and smelled worse and I was in so much pain I quickly forgot!!

in terms of a bag ready for hospital.. erm no only when in the late stages of pregnancy. Pretty sure family, friends etc would rally round if it was an emergency!

Itsmyturnnow1 · 01/03/2023 07:16

Deanandthellhounds · 28/02/2023 23:09

@Mammyloveswine are you my long lost sister? I always, always have something disgusting going on when the inlaws pop round. I had similar in the bath after ds1 (mixed with poopy baby clothes of course) , I shut the shower curtain and it was open when they left. The shame!

OMG reminds me when we moved house and the removal men pulled out the washing machine and found a pair of blood stained knickers… left them up on the work top!! I walked in the kitchen and saw them sitting there! I mean who does that?! I was actually mortified, cried to my husband and couldn’t face them again! I mean it’s natural and can’t be helped but I was so embarrassed! It wouldn’t happen to a man.. well unless he shit his pants 😆

Okunevo · 01/03/2023 07:19

If a neighbour was unwell and needed help, or police wanted to talk then my sitting room is fine. I would just throw the cat toys into a corner and move the electric throw off the sofa. I mean there is cat hair, but there is always cat hair, comes with the cats.

I couldn't evacuate the cats quickly if there was a fire as their carriers are in the garage, I could let them out and shut them out. We both sleep in pyjamas so only a hoodie or coat needed.

RedRiverShore3 · 01/03/2023 07:30

If my husband has to pack for an unexoectantbhospital admission I get a back of clothes I swear he's never seen me wear, a pair of jeans that don't fit, a pair of pyjama bottoms, wool jumpers in summer, maxi dresses in winter. It's ridiculous, hes an adult man who does more than half the laundry but ask him to pack a spare bra some pants and 2 outfits and he's like a drunk stranger rummaging.

This has crossed my mind that DH wouldn't have a clue what to bring me in and what I would end up with.

SpringIsSpringing23 · 01/03/2023 07:36

This is such an odd question. Emergency services don't give a damn what your house looks like.

As for being ready to go to hospital.. if you need to go to a&e then the last thing on your mind is what to take with you. You sort that later once treatment has started.

That being said, before ticket machines took card,.I remember my mum frantically running round the house for change for parking whilst I was sat in the car struggling to breath with what turned out to be double pneumonia. Doctor had told us to go straight to hospital and I was that unwell I was put on a men's ward to start with.

follyfoot37 · 01/03/2023 07:39

Another one which should be in chat not aibu

Muddydogpawprints · 01/03/2023 07:43

Op I don't think you've experienced a true emergency. Trust me, when it comes to it even as the most house proud person in the world you will not give a damm what your house looks like. Nor will you care what you're wearing to go to hospital.

gogohmm · 01/03/2023 07:45

Yes as everyone is an able bodied adult here. Rousing young adults from their slumber is always tricky though

SpringIsSpringing23 · 01/03/2023 08:04

gogohmm · 01/03/2023 07:45

Yes as everyone is an able bodied adult here. Rousing young adults from their slumber is always tricky though

"If you don't wake you'll die in a fire" should get them up.

HelpMeGetThrough · 01/03/2023 08:05

We had paramedics here the week before last for me and the last thing on our minds was the state of the house. As it is, the house is tidy pretty much all the time, but at that point, it could have been a shit pit for all I cared.