Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ethical dilemma time; was I wrong to call 911

58 replies

MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 07:42

A huge bolt of lighting just struck very close to my house a few hours ago. The electrical went crazy and then I smelled a burned plastic smell at one of the light switches, like it would smell if the wiring was burned, which can easily start a fire. So I called an electrician and he advised me that it could be serious and to call my insurance company's emergency number so they could send somebody out. My insurance company told me to have the fire department check it out, so I did. There was no fire that I knew of, but burned wires can cause materials around them to smolder for quite some time before fire breaks out.

So several tall, good looking firefighters (funny the things you notice when you're scared😄) came in and tested for signs of heat anywhere it shouldn't be. Nothing. It turned out the lightning had travelled through the wires and fried the light bulbs in the room where I smelled burned plastic. The firefighters turned some tripped breakers back on and waited to see if anything happened. Then they tested my smoke alarms. They were very thorough and extremely polite.

My question is whether it was wrong to call them on a maybe, because it could potentially have diverted them from something more serious. They assured me that I did the right thing, that people should always call in situations like that, but maybe they were just being nice. Opinions? Was it legit to consider that an emergency just because my insurance company told me it was?
I know it's a goofy question, but I tend to obsess about doing the right thing. If I'm being annoying feel free to tell me. I won't be offended.

OP posts:
MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 19:12

Witchling · 22/06/2025 19:02

Where are you that you have tall, good looking firefighters and phone 911?

Canada. I've been all over Europe and I love Europe, but the men here are still the best looking I've ever seen. I had some guys trimming my trees last week and all of them were disgustingly handsome as well. It's a never ending parade of studs I'm too old to fully appreciate.

OP posts:
MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 19:13

londongirl12 · 22/06/2025 18:59

I work for the fire service. We would always send a crew out to check for a smell of burning. You never know when something could be smouldering behind a wall. You did the right thing

Thank you. Yes, I was being silly to question myself.

OP posts:
Witchling · 22/06/2025 19:34

MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 19:12

Canada. I've been all over Europe and I love Europe, but the men here are still the best looking I've ever seen. I had some guys trimming my trees last week and all of them were disgustingly handsome as well. It's a never ending parade of studs I'm too old to fully appreciate.

I might have to move....

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 22/06/2025 19:34

I'd have called the F.B. straight away, without calling a leccy or insurance co.

MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 19:50

Witchling · 22/06/2025 19:34

I might have to move....

😄 The women are none too shabby either if you like that sort of thing. Maybe it's all the fresh air.

OP posts:
MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 19:50

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 22/06/2025 19:34

I'd have called the F.B. straight away, without calling a leccy or insurance co.

Yeah, I was an idiot to hesitate.

OP posts:
ANiceBigCupOfTea · 22/06/2025 21:31

Of course you did the right thing!
Plus, had it been damaged and you hurt yourself then you'd need the fire dept and paramedics so if anything, you prevented potentially other emergency services needing to come to you by doing the right thing. Glad all is OK!

MuckFusk · 22/06/2025 22:36

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 22/06/2025 21:31

Of course you did the right thing!
Plus, had it been damaged and you hurt yourself then you'd need the fire dept and paramedics so if anything, you prevented potentially other emergency services needing to come to you by doing the right thing. Glad all is OK!

That is an excellent point about other emergency services.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread