Fire Hazards

I am happy to report that our house is no longer in danger of burning to the ground.  At least not due to a refrigerator fire.  I got a letter in the mail yesterday from Maytag informing us that some electrical part in our refrigerator's compressor could malfunction and cause a fire.  I called the toll-free number to schedule a repair and within minutes I had an appointment for this morning. Very slick.  Kudos to the Maytag automated repair scheduling system. 

But can anyone tell me why appliance repairmen are allowed a four hour window in which they can show up at your house?  What other professional gets this kind of leeway? 

"Nurse, I need some pain medication."  

"Sure, I'll be there sometime between 8 and noon."

The computerized voice told me someone would come between 8 a.m. and noon and would call first.

I wasn't about to sit around the house for four hours, waiting, so I decided since it was their fault I needed the repair, I would take my cell phone with me and go about my day and they could call me when they got there.  Besides, that way Justin and I would be safely out of our home should it start smoldering before then.

This morning the kids had a special event at school called "Gals and Goodies" where I got to go early and have breakfast with them.  They were very excited about it.  It's nothing fancy, just muffins and bagels from Costco and juice, but they love it.  I was just about to head out the door when the repairman called.  He was on his way.  Now what? I couldn't disappoint the kids, who could care less about refrigerator recalls. (I made the mistake of forgetting about "Gals and Goodies" the year Spencer was in first grade and felt like the world's worst mom when my dejected son brought home the lei he'd made for me to wear for the occasion.)  This is when it comes in handy to have a husband that works five minutes away from home.  I called Darrel and by the time I was back from breakfast (complete with lei) the repair was all done.  I don't like being alone in the house with a repairman, anyway, so I was glad not to have to deal with that either!  Thank you Darrel!  And now, not only will our house not burn down, but the top of the fridge is dust free and everything that has rolled under the fridge for the past few years has been swept out.  Nice to get those places you never see but know are filthy cleaned every now and again.  All that dust under there is probably a fire hazard, anyway.