Number of people trapped in household objects on rise in U.K.

LONDON – Firefighters in England have a big problem on their hands after having to free hundreds of people with body parts trapped in household objects, including a man whose penis was stuck in a toaster.

The London Fire Brigade said crews have attended over 1,300 incidents since 2010 involving people being trapped or stuck in everyday household items, including 79 people locked in handcuffs.

The Brigade speculated the popularity of erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey may account for a rise in the use of handcuffs.

“Some of the incidents our firefighters are called out to could be prevented with a little common sense,” said Dave Brown, Third Officer of The Brigade, in a press release. “I’m sure most people will be Fifty Shades of red by the time our crews arrive to free them.”

In the last three years the capital’s fire crews have been called out to:
• 18 incidents involving children with their heads stuck in potties or toilet seats
• Five incidents involving people’s hands being stuck in shredders
• 79 incidents involving people being trapped in handcuffs
• Nine instances of men with rings stuck on their penises
• Four incidents where people had their hands stuck in blenders
• 17 incidents involving children with their fingers stuck in toys, including one with Lego stuck on his finger

The Brigade gave some friendly advice for men:

“If the ring doesn’t fit, don’t force it on. As well as being painful, you could end up wasting emergency service time if you have to call us out,” said a Brigade spokesperson.

With files from The Associated Press