What would you do if you found a mystery button in your new home? This renter's discovery will surprise you
- Replies 7
Going into a new home can be an overwhelming experience. You need time to take on every little detail and explore, and sometimes, with each corner discovered comes a unique surprise.
This was exactly the case for one Sydney renter, who found a mysterious red button screwed onto her bedroom wall. Not knowing what to think, she took to social media for answers.
The red button was attached to a grey box with a keyhole near it and a concealed wire running down the wall to the floor.
'We just moved into a new rental. Does anyone know what this is?' the woman wrote in a post.
Failing to recognise what it did, people then began throwing around guesses about what its purpose was.
One user joked, 'Press it. The bed tips up, and you fall through the floor into a chair below the kitchen', whilst another simply said, 'Butler service'.
Someone even thought they might give it a go and suggested, 'Press it and see'.
Fortunately for us, somebody eventually came through with the correct answer.
It turned out the mysterious button was a panic alarm button, used primarily to place a call for emergency services.
'I think it's an emergency alarm button. My parents have one near their bed. Do you have an alarm system?' a person asked, to which the woman responded: 'I think there is one, yes!'.
‘Used to have one that looked exactly the same at my old house. Push the button to activate the alarm. Turn the key to deactivate the alarm,' another explained.
As the term suggests, a 'panic button' is a device primarily designed to assist in alerting emergency services when immediate help is needed. It is a fascinating safety technology, and its origins may surprise you.
The concept of 'panic buttons' first appeared during World War II, initially utilised as dead man's switches in machinery and weaponry to safeguard against catastrophic failures or accidents.
As technology progressed, the concept was soon adapted for application in personal security, resulting in the panic alarms we know today.
With the rise in home burglaries and threats during the mid-20th century, panic buttons became a regular feature in many homes and offices.
Connected directly to local police stations or private security agencies, they served as a safety beacon in fraught situations. However, their application continued.
The button was often installed in nursing homes or houses where seniors, children or sick patients reside.
Panic buttons are often associated with the finance sector, too, particularly in banks and jewellery shops, offering a silent way of alerting authorities in the event of a robbery.
Interestingly, in 2017, there was also a push from primary school principals in Western Australia to have panic buttons installed in public schools—directly linked to police stations—over cases of parents and students threatening them.
Panic buttons have also been incorporated into wearable technology and mobile devices, offering a quick way to place a distress call when in danger.
In a world of increasing uncertainties, the humble panic button has proved to be a timeless asset. Interestingly, while the Sydney renter may have been puzzled by her find, she can now rest easy knowing that she has a little extra security right at her fingertips, or rather, the press of a button.
Every rental home may not have such surprising features, but it’s worth exploring. You never know what historic piece of security history is waiting to be discovered. Isn’t it amazing the stories a single button can tell?
What do you think of this story, members? Have you seen a similar button in a house? Let us know in the comments below!
This was exactly the case for one Sydney renter, who found a mysterious red button screwed onto her bedroom wall. Not knowing what to think, she took to social media for answers.
The red button was attached to a grey box with a keyhole near it and a concealed wire running down the wall to the floor.
'We just moved into a new rental. Does anyone know what this is?' the woman wrote in a post.
Failing to recognise what it did, people then began throwing around guesses about what its purpose was.
One user joked, 'Press it. The bed tips up, and you fall through the floor into a chair below the kitchen', whilst another simply said, 'Butler service'.
Someone even thought they might give it a go and suggested, 'Press it and see'.
Fortunately for us, somebody eventually came through with the correct answer.
A woman found a red button on the bedroom wall of her new apartment. Credit: Facebook
It turned out the mysterious button was a panic alarm button, used primarily to place a call for emergency services.
'I think it's an emergency alarm button. My parents have one near their bed. Do you have an alarm system?' a person asked, to which the woman responded: 'I think there is one, yes!'.
‘Used to have one that looked exactly the same at my old house. Push the button to activate the alarm. Turn the key to deactivate the alarm,' another explained.
As the term suggests, a 'panic button' is a device primarily designed to assist in alerting emergency services when immediate help is needed. It is a fascinating safety technology, and its origins may surprise you.
The concept of 'panic buttons' first appeared during World War II, initially utilised as dead man's switches in machinery and weaponry to safeguard against catastrophic failures or accidents.
As technology progressed, the concept was soon adapted for application in personal security, resulting in the panic alarms we know today.
With the rise in home burglaries and threats during the mid-20th century, panic buttons became a regular feature in many homes and offices.
Connected directly to local police stations or private security agencies, they served as a safety beacon in fraught situations. However, their application continued.
The button was often installed in nursing homes or houses where seniors, children or sick patients reside.
Panic buttons are often associated with the finance sector, too, particularly in banks and jewellery shops, offering a silent way of alerting authorities in the event of a robbery.
Interestingly, in 2017, there was also a push from primary school principals in Western Australia to have panic buttons installed in public schools—directly linked to police stations—over cases of parents and students threatening them.
Panic buttons have also been incorporated into wearable technology and mobile devices, offering a quick way to place a distress call when in danger.
In a world of increasing uncertainties, the humble panic button has proved to be a timeless asset. Interestingly, while the Sydney renter may have been puzzled by her find, she can now rest easy knowing that she has a little extra security right at her fingertips, or rather, the press of a button.
Every rental home may not have such surprising features, but it’s worth exploring. You never know what historic piece of security history is waiting to be discovered. Isn’t it amazing the stories a single button can tell?
What do you think of this story, members? Have you seen a similar button in a house? Let us know in the comments below!
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