It pays to be prepared. This week when I delivered Meals on Wheels food to the first person on my volunteer route in SHOREWOOD, the owner called out to me, "I'm here." I looked all over the little house and finally saw his naked body lying crossways at the bottom of the steep narrow stairs on the cold cement basement floor. I said I would bring help and called 911 on my cell phone. Two policemen from the SOUTH LAKE MINNETONKA POLICE DEPARTMENT and two more personnel from the EXCELSION POLICE AND FIRE DISTRICT were there within ten minutes. I told the Fire Chief how I found the man and my communication and covering him up with a light blanket without moving him. I had also left a message for his daughter whose name was on the Meals on Wheels card I had for him. He said he was 83 years old, but with some of our other communication, he seemed a bit incoherent. Since he lived alone, I wonder what might have happened if I hadn't come to deliver his noon meal.
As I drove away, an ambulance was within blocks. I felt better knowing he was in good hands with all the personnel needed to bring him up the steep narrow stairs on a back board. I thought I had been calm, cool, and collected, although four days later; I still see his body lying there and feel grateful that I had found him. The Fire Chief later called me, thanked me, and said I had handled the situation in the best way.
I only mention this story as it reminds me that whether we are volunteers serving our community or Realtors going into other people's homes, we need to be alert and prepared for what we might find and be able to take the appropriate action with SAFETY in mind.
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