idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Edit: Problem solved. Thanks everyone! I'm so tired and I can't figure out what to do. Yes it's silly but I'm overwhelmed and was up all night so I've lost my ability to think this through. DH and I own a rental property and I'm supposed to be over there in half an hour to let in the heating people. DH is giving a presentation to hundreds of people at that time and the tenants are out of town. The heaters need to be fixed; one is leaking CO, at very small levels, so it's not a good idea to reschedule. Appointment w heating guys was scheduled 2 weeks ago and really difficult to get this time of year. DD4 has a high fever (103.5) and is not well. DS8 is fine. Rental property is 5 blocks from here. Usually we would walk but I can drive and be there in 2 minutes to make it quicker and warmer. Options: --Cancel heating, tenants have no heat for a few days (back in town tomorrow) until repairmen can return. --Take DD and DS and leave them in the car. Moving DD will be difficult; she's feverish and has chills and I don't love the idea of putting her into the cold car. --Leave them at home while I go. They've never been alone before but if the heating person were to be on time (and he has been in the past) I'd be out of the house for less than 15 minutes. Tenants have given the okay to let the heating guys in the units alone since they are going to be there for 3-4 hours so I just need to open up. I may or may not have to do this again at the end to lock up the rental. If the heating people take long enough DH will be done with his presentation and he can go there and lock up. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Go get the car heated up. Turn it on and use a second set of keys to lock it while it runs and heats. Then move DD into the car, drive over there, let the guy in, and leave if that has been OK'd by the tenants. The day you love a sick 4 year old with your 8 year old will be the day the heater guy is running 15 minutes late. You will be frantic. Better to have your daughter with you, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I'd leave them home for those few minutes. Or, can you call the heating people and ask them to call you when they are a few minutes away so you don't have to leave the kids very long? Or beg them to stop at your house to pick up the key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 It depends. Is the 8yo reasonably responsible? If so, I wouldn't see any problem with him watching his sister for just a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 The 8 year old is very responsible but somewhat naive (by nature, not that we haven't tried!) Just checked on DD and she's in a deep sleep. She fell asleep in her chair next to her food w/o eating it. Good idea about asking the heating guys to get the keys. I'll call them; I think dispatch can put me through to their cell phones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Do you have any neighbors that the 8 yo can call in an emergency? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 If dd4 is asleep I would leave them home. Although I think having the heating guys pick up the key is the best option, as long as you feel they are trustworthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Called the heating guys and they are going to come by and pick up the keys on their way. Yea! I didn't even have to beg them; they both have young kids and understood. :hurray: The hive comes through again! Thanks for the suggestions!!! Now if I could just get some sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Leave the sick one sleeping. Call the house phone from your cell. Talk to the 8 year old as much as possible while you are gone. Drive in case the 8 year old needs you home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Do you have any neighbors that the 8 yo can call in an emergency? Kind of. Their best friends live 2 doors down. The kids go to school, though, and the parents work, but variable hours by appointment. I hadn't really thought of that until you asked since we've never left the kids alone. Our neighborhood is mostly households with both parents working. They love that we're home because I have a good view of the street and keep an eye on things during the day. You've given me something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 I'm so tired and I can't figure out what to do. Yes it's silly but I'm overwhelmed and was up all night so I've lost my ability to think this through. DH and I own a rental property and I'm supposed to be over there in half an hour to let in the heating people. DH is giving a presentation to hundreds of people at that time and the tenants are out of town. The heaters need to be fixed; one is leaking CO, at very small levels, so it's not a good idea to reschedule. Appointment w heating guys was scheduled 2 weeks ago and really difficult to get this time of year. DD4 has a high fever (103.5) and is not well. DS8 is fine. Rental property is 5 blocks from here. Usually we would walk but I can drive and be there in 2 minutes to make it quicker and warmer. Options: --Cancel heating, tenants have no heat for a few days (back in town tomorrow) until repairmen can return. --Take DD and DS and leave them in the car. Moving DD will be difficult; she's feverish and has chills and I don't love the idea of putting her into the cold car. --Leave them at home while I go. They've never been alone before but if the heating person were to be on time (and he has been in the past) I'd be out of the house for less than 15 minutes. Tenants have given the okay to let the heating guys in the units alone since they are going to be there for 3-4 hours so I just need to open up. I may or may not have to do this again at the end to lock up the rental. If the heating people take long enough DH will be done with his presentation and he can go there and lock up. What would you do? At those ages, you need to take the kids. I'm a landlord too, and I know it is tough when the kids are little. But if you leave them at home and anything happens, you will get a visit from the police or worse. Do you have someone - like your Mom - who can run over and stay with the kids? You can bet the heating people will take their time. And you really don't have any option because you must provide heat for the property to be habitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Called the heating guys and they are going to come by and pick up the keys on their way. Yea! I didn't even have to beg them; they both have young kids and understood. :hurray: The hive comes through again! Thanks for the suggestions!!! Now if I could just get some sleep. Good job. If your tenants don't mind you not being there, this is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 They just swung by and picked up the keys. I have moved DD to the sofa and the guy took one look at her, flushed and sweaty and asleep and he offered to drop the keys off when done if DH hasn't stopped by the rental. If he drops them off I'll have DH swing by after his presentation and check that everything is locked. Score 2 for the heating guys. Thanks again, everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 At those ages, you need to take the kids. I'm a landlord too, and I know it is tough when the kids are little. But if you leave them at home and anything happens, you will get a visit from the police or worse. Do you have someone - like your Mom - who can run over and stay with the kids? You can bet the heating people will take their time. And you really don't have any option because you must provide heat for the property to be habitable. Thanks for responding. I know you're a landlord from that other thread which was deleted and I had made a mental note of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 They just swung by and picked up the keys. I have moved DD to the sofa and the guy took one look at her, flushed and sweaty and asleep and he offered to drop the keys off when done if DH hasn't stopped by the rental. If he drops them off I'll have DH swing by after his presentation and check that everything is locked. Score 2 for the heating guys. Thanks again, everyone. :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Thanks for responding. I know you're a landlord from that other thread which was deleted and I had made a mental note of that! I'm glad it all worked out and I pray they don't charge you an arm and a leg. I've had the good HVAC people who just fix the small part necessary...and the bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 I'm glad it all worked out and I pray they don't charge you an arm and a leg. I've had the good HVAC people who just fix the small part necessary...and the bad. When we bought the place the inspector told us we would need to replace both heaters. The sellers gave us the money for full replacement of both in cash. When we actually had this guy out here to see about replacing the heaters, he told us he could fabricate the parts and replace the parts for much less. It turns out he's also a sheet metal fabricator. He took impressions and made rubbings of different parts and made new ones. With labor it was still less than one third the cost. Nice to have the extra cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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