I feel your pain. We recently had a ceiling light and fan co come crashing down to within about 3 feet of a computer, coffee table and me. It was attached to a flimsy trim board with thin wire nails. We can only assume it was added on well after the hou9se was completed. It was hanging by 3 thin wires, which we had to cu9t to get it safely down. The electrician we hired to install a new one one was incredulous that it stayed up there that long. Count you9rself lucky!
And shortcuts people take. It's their home for Pete's sake.