(ARA) - Shirts and shoes, tablets
and pens - the back-to-school shopping list
keeps growing. As families head to the mall to
prepare for school days, it's important to keep
safety in mind.
Escalators transport more than 245 million
people in North America daily, with some 33,000
escalators filling busy shopping malls and
office buildings. From big cities to suburban
commercial centers, passengers busily ride up
and down these mechanical wonders – often
without even knowing that unsafe behavior puts
them at risk of injury.
Young children riding escalators unattended.
Strollers balancing on the steps. Suitcases with
straps dangling. Passengers sitting on steps,
running, or walking in the wrong direction.
Joy-riders sitting atop or surfing handrails.
These are just some of the examples of common
unsafe practices on escalators.
Because riding on escalators has become so
routine, we sometimes take rules and safety
recommendations for granted. With shoppers
filling the malls, parents, children and all
passengers should be aware of safety precautions
they can take on escalators to prevent injuries.
Adults can help by setting a good example.
Teach children that escalators are not toys.
Explain to them that an escalator is a moving
staircase. Escalators are a continuous chain of
moving steps powered by a motor and are to be
respected, as any large moving machinery should
be. Slips, trips, and falls can occur on
escalators and most can be prevented with safe
riding habits.
Here are some safety tips that every escalator
rider should follow:
* Upon entering an escalator, hold children
firmly by the hand, while grasping the handrail
with your other hand.
* Never take baby strollers on escalators. Take
the elevator instead.
* Wear shoes at all times and make sure
shoelaces are securely tied to prevent them from
becoming caught. In addition, remember to secure
loose items such as toys and outerwear prior to
getting on.
* Keep children’s fingers away from any spaces
between the steps and the skirt of the elevator
(the panels located on either side of the
escalator steps).
* Do not lean against or place handbags or
packages on the handrail and never sit on the
escalator steps or handrails.
* As you exit, do so quickly to avoid blocking
the path of riders behind you. If there is an
emergency, push one of the “Stop” buttons
located at the top or bottom landings of the
escalator near the handrail or floor level.
* Lift children who are under five years old on
and off an escalator. They may not yet possess
the motor skills necessary to time getting on
and off safely.
* Most of all, stress to children and teens that
they should never play on an escalator!
By abiding by these rules, and teaching them to
your children, you can reduce the risk of injury
dramatically. If you take your safety seriously,
others will follow your example.
For more information about escalator safety,
visit the National Elevator Industry (NEII) Web
site at www.neii.org, or the Elevator and
Escalator Safety Foundation Web site at
www.eesf.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content
