I saw this in the local SUPERVALU store in Mountmellick, Co Laois this morning.
I was horrified to see bundles of firewood blocking access to the defibrillator !
Just imagine, someone is having a heart attack nearby and precious seconds are wasted
while the logs are removed to reach the machine that can help save a life.
Then of course I realised that this is also the town
where a local politician hit the headlines suggesting that
dogs should be fitted
with nappies!
Does this sort of behaviour occur where you live ?
Doesn't surprise me at all. Go into almost any convenience-type store in the UK and you'll find that they've complied with the law by putting in a ramp to allow wheelchair access, but they then pile in the merchandise in a way that blocks the aisles for anyone with a chair. Our village shop is a frequent offender despite having both a school for the disabled and an old people's care home nearby.
ReplyDeleteI do find that sort of nonchalant negligence to be rather annoying and uncaring. It says quite a lot about the people who manage those stores - that they would not make good neighbours or earn any citizenship rewards.
DeleteWell certainly in our little town the defibrillator is kept clear at all times. It is fitted to the wall outside the doorway of our chemist. As to dogs - there are still people (bear in mind this is a tourist town in the Summer) who allow their dogs to soil the pavement and don't pick up after them.
ReplyDeleteThere is another defibrillator in the centre of the town on an outside wall; though too far from the store to be effective. The town appears to be reasonably clear of dogs and their poo.
DeleteProbably because all the dogs are wearing nappies.
DeleteI hope you spoke to a store manager about it because you're right, that's terribly dangerous and inappropriate. Plus it's grounds for a lawsuit against the store if someone dies while time is lost getting to the blocked defib, so it's in the store's own self-interest to ensure that access is easily available at all times.
ReplyDeleteIf there had been one Manager or Supervisor in sight I would have done so. As it was I have let it be known
Deletein certain quarters of their neglect and am sure that words will fall into certain ears.
Oh, no worries bout the fire wood and other obstacles, friend H … as I would rip any place apart fast and furious in order to save a precious life … been there done that … Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can just imagine that your inner tiger would be extremely active in such circumstances.
DeleteI can see OSHA or DHEC or maybe even the Fire Marshall having a field day with that here in the states. I know it would be some sort of a code violation and there would be penalties if it wasn't corrected immediately.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer. I would be in total agreement with that if such legal practises were in operation here !
DeleteWell spotted Mel. I will be in there today and will talk to someone regarding it.
ReplyDeleteI well remember the sense of shame I felt when national radio and some national U.K tabloids rightly lampooned the Town Council regarding a councillor proposing that the council investigate the possibility of putting nappies on dogs as a possible solution to the problem of dogs fouling the footpaths in the town.
Very well done Brian. I knew that it was wrong thing to do and I pulled out the iPhone and took a photo as the opportunity to make a blog post was too good to miss out on :-)
DeleteI recall seeing the headlines in the UK Sunday national newspapers about Councillor X and a great old skit it was too ha'ha'ha' he will never live that one down ! Many thanks for leaving a comment.
Hi Mel - definitely know this sort of thing happens - people without forethought ... sad, but true. Well done for spotting it and making it into a post - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Hilary. Awareness raising is about bringing things to peoples attention.
DeleteUnbelievable! But who knows what goes on where I live!
ReplyDeleteAll goes to show just how stupid people can be by not understanding the importance of emergency equipment!
DeleteThanks for commenting Mitchell.
It's just symptomatic of the thoughtless world we inhabit.
ReplyDeleteYes it is, yet not to mention it can be seen as condoning too.
DeleteFirewood? Chilly in your neck of the woods is it?
ReplyDeleteLX
We acclimatise very quickly and so a slight drop in temp can feel cold.
DeleteGood on you for highlighting the fierewood blocking the defibrillator Heron. Can you tell the county councils to pull their Ragwort?
ReplyDeleteYes I could of course and I could also tell some of the farmers too. My guess is that it would get me nowhere at at all apart from slurry being sprayed on our garden walls.
Delete