Keep Kids Safe on Escalators and Elevators

If you’ve been to a mall or department store, odds are that your kids have encountered escalators and elevators. These trips up and down may seem like a routine and harmless activity. However, accidents while using these modes of transportation can easily lead to injury, making it necessary to prioritize your child's safety before setting foot on these devices.

Understanding Elevators and Escalators

First, let’s start by defining elevators and escalators. The moving stairs at the mall are called escalators. Another common feature is the elevator, a sort of movable room that rises and descends between floors.

As we mentioned above, escalators and elevators are a common feature in our daily lives. Obviously, they make transportation quick and easy. However, we still need to be vigilant about our children’s safety.

Escalator Entrapment

In the world of escalators and elevators, escalators are the one that presents more of a clear and present danger. One of the most common escalator-related injuries is entrapment, with hands, feet, and shoes becoming entangled.

Additionally, a significant number of escalator-related injuries are related to falls. To prevent these injuries, there are several steps you can take. These include making sure your child:

• ties his or her shoelaces before stepping on,
• stands in the center of the escalator,
• faces forward,
• and holds a parent's hand.

While we’re on the subject, when on an escalator, it is important to know where the emergency shutoff button is located. In the case of an emergency, it can literally save a life.

Elevator Action

Elevator danger also poses a significant risk to children. In this case, an average of one child under the age of 10 dies each year in and around elevators. Injuries often occur when elevator doors close on a body part, such as a finger, hand or arm.

To prevent such accidents from happening, it's crucial to supervise young children about getting on and off an escalator. You should also teach them that they should never try to stop the elevator doors from closing.

For older children and teenagers, they should be taught to stay in the elevator if it gets stuck and to call for help using either the elevator phone or their cell phone.

To wrap it up, while escalators and elevators are both convenient modes of transportation… it's essential that you review potential safety risks with your child to help ensure their safety.

Parents should teach their children the proper safety measures to take when using escalators and elevators, and always be vigilant when they are around these transportation devices. By doing so, you can help to prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries from happening.