The Los Angeles Fire Department says it is responding to an increasing number of calls for people trapped in elevators.

The NBC4 I-Team spoke to LAFD Captain Erik Scott to find out what you should—and should never—do if you get stuck in one.

DO:

Take a deep breath, stay calm;

Push the "Call" button. This will start a two-way communication with the building engineer so they can send an expert to help;

If you can't get through, call 9-1-1;

Stay patient and wait. You're safe inside the elevator and rescuers should be able to free you quickly

DON'T:

Don't try to open doors. You don't know when the power might turn back on and the elevator could start moving;

Don't climb out the top. Those ceiling doors are locked from the outside to prevent people trying to climb out where there's more danger

Don't try to push your way out if the doors partially open. The elevator could start moving and could cause severe injury.

The I-Team discovered a shocking number of elevators are way past due on their annual inspections. Lolita Lopez reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019.