Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Danger!



Newspaper headlines and television reports featuring; Escapees, Accomplices and Fugitives have made our community on edge.  In our rural community many leave their keys in their cars and trucks.  Unlocked doors are not unheard of.  This week changed our attitudes toward security.  We’ve been encouraged to be on the lookout for 2 escapees and their girlfriends.  We’ve seen news reports of a string of break-ins and we’ve seen helicopters fly over.   Our attention has been drawn away from corn prices.
Later in the week as news reports have tracked the sightings to a nearby state and the danger has seemed to pass, but we’re still being careful. 
Last night as my husband and I prepared to run some Friday night errands we were startled by a knock on the door.  Our elderly neighbor, Gloria was standing at the door, breathless, clutching a dog.  As I slid the door open she gasped, “Lori, I just don’t know what I’m going to do!”  As the story poured out in disjointed worry and fear I realized that in her vigilance for security she’d locked herself out of her house when she went out to walk the dog. 
Her husband is out of town on a volunteer work crew several states away.  Her children all live several hours away, and their numbers all in her phone, were locked securely in her home.  Roger wasn’t due home until late Saturday and she was in a panic. 
My husband offered to see if he could find a way into her house.  I jokingly suggested he try to open the door with a credit card.  The joke started to make sense and we found one of our many “store rewards” cards and dog, owner and my husband headed across the lawn.  I started to plan a quick clean for our unplanned house guest. 
Minutes later my husband returned with a silly grin on his face.  It appears a door really can be opened with a credit card and a quick turn of the door handle.  As he celebrated the success, Gloria started to plan for the replacement of her front door with a deadbolt lock, and a safe place to hide a key.

5 comments:

  1. This is a scary story! I feel for your poor neighbor - having to return and stay home, knowing that the door could be opened with a credit card. Wow. You are good neighbors - I'm sure this gives her much peace. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I've been the one looked out too, but a credit card wouldn't work for me. I needed a locksmith to open my door. Easy for him but that kind of freaked me out with how quick and easy it was for him to get it open. Glad it worked out for your neighbor.

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  3. I have many locked out stories and a dear friend who has so many lost key stories that we've suggested she write a book. I always make sure that several friends have keys to my place. I'm just glad that you and your husband were home when she knocked on the door in distress.

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  4. Sharing a key with a neighbor is helpful for sure. I'm sorry for your neighbor's upset. I always worry that somehow my garage door won't open, so I make sure my front screen is unlocked. I guess some of this is always a worry, isn't it? I'm glad your husband was able to help. And sorry for the upset with the escapees too. Life just changes doesn't it? Best wishes for better days ahead.

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  5. I am going to try and open my front door with a credit card.

    Did they catch the bad guys yet? Having them loose would be disconcerting. You sound like a wonderful neighbor to have.

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