Saturday September, 6 2025 @ 08:07

Nature: Residential Rescue

Location: 16232 John Adams Lane Patriots Glen, DE 19966

On Saturday morning, September 6^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a residential rescue incident on John Adams Lane in the Patriots Glen development off John J. Williams Highway.  It was reported to be a young child locked in a spare room.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility.

Emergency response crew members were assigned to evaluate and assist the home occupant with gain access to the spare room.  Emergency first responders were able to locate a spare key for the lock above the door jam within the residential structure which allowed gaining access to the spare room.

All emergency response apparatus were cleared and authorized to return to their respective quarters.

Indian River offers some helpful tips when a child is accidentally locked in a room, the immediate priority is to stay calm and safely open the door. Most interior door locks, especially on spare rooms and bathrooms, have a simple emergency release mechanism.

Immediate steps to open the door

• Look for the emergency release hole. On the outside of the doorknob, you will likely find a small hole. Many privacy doorknobs are designed to be unlocked from the outside in case of an emergency.

• Use a narrow, stiff object to unlock it. Insert a straightened paper clip, a small screwdriver, or the end of a bobby pin into the hole. Push and twist until you feel the latch disengage. Some locks require you to push a button inside the hole, while others need to be turned. A Q-tip or toothpick may also work for some types of locks.