Escalators are a very popular means of transport. There are around 80 000 of them worldwide. For most of us, riding them seems like a mundane activity, but for the youngest children it is often great fun. However, although they have exacting safety standards, accidents can happen on them. Most are related to improper use, especially by unattended children. We suggest what rules to follow to avoid exposing yourself and your loved ones to unnecessary risks.

Some facts

The first escalators were installed in 1896. Today, we can find them in almost every shopping mall, but also in office buildings, crowded stations or airports. Every day, more than one billion people around the world use Schindler's devices alone.

Manufacturers of stairs and escalators pay particular attention to preventing malfunctions, such as unexpected changes in direction or excessive speed, which can cause a fall or loss of balance. These devices have up to 35 different safety features that minimise the risk of accidents, especially among the youngest users. According to recent studies, up to 86% of all accidents on stairs and escalators are caused by inappropriate passenger behaviour. The main causes are distraction, multi-tasking and hurrying. Accidents also occur as a result of weakness or loss of balance in travellers, which often happens to children or the elderly. According to studies, children and people aged 65+ are the group most vulnerable to dangerous situations.

Keep to these rules!

While adults are able to remember and understand the basic safety requirements, it is sometimes necessary to think for children and to sensitise them from an early age to pay attention to observing safety rules.

When travelling on escalators with children, special care must be taken. Remember that our children should always use these facilities under adult supervision.

Access to the escalators

When climbing the escalator, do not put your foot halfway up the escalator board and step out - this can cause you to lose your balance. Also remember to absolutely not allow your child to put their toes there. Unfortunately, such accidents have already happened in the world. Loss of balance is also possible when standing on the edge of the step, which is flat just after leaving the slab.

Leaving the staircase

The moment when the steps retract under the exit plate can be particularly dangerous. Under no circumstances should you place your feet on the point of the ascending step under the slab. In addition to losing your balance, it becomes possible here to pull in small parts such as shoelaces. Such accidents are unfortunately very common with children.

The free spaces between the steps and the entrance or entrance slab are structurally kept to a minimum to allow steps to retract or ride out. However, this does not change the fact that some elements can still get in there. So look out for untied shoelaces, hanging scarves or rucksack straps, as they can be pulled in between the gaps in the steps, says Bogumił Borkowski.

When riding

Many people, not realising what the side brushes are actually for, clean their shoes against them, for example. Their purpose, however, is different - they cover the gap created between the plinths and the steps, thus preventing the possibility of small elements being drawn in. We have to be careful that a curious or bored child does not put his foot, hand or toy in the middle of the brushes. This could risk being pulled in.

Do not let your child run or jump on the stairs

On stairs, children should not make sudden movements, such as jumping or running, which can end up with them losing their balance and falling on the metal edge of the step ridge, which can cause serious injury. It is often the case that our toddler enjoys the escalator ride and wants to arrive on the escalator for as long as possible. Remember that it is absolutely not a place to play and the most important rule when travelling is to hold on to the handrail.

Holding hands

For comprehensive safety, always hold your child's hand with the other grasping the handrail. It is also important to remember that the youngest should not sit on the steps or travel backwards. In addition, climbing on, sitting on or leaning over the handrail should be prevented.

Next to the stairs

Accidents involving children can happen, even if you don't use the escalator. All it takes is a moment's inattention. The sensitive area is the entrance to the handrail, always protected by special brushes and a safety contact that switches off the device when pressure is applied. Nevertheless, you must be vigilant that your child does not put his or her fingers or hands there. The safety contact will operate immediately, but the device, due to its inertia, will only stop after a few seconds.

We only transport pushchairs in lifts

It is also extremely important not to travel by escalator with a pushchair. This causes the person using it to lose stability. There is also a chance that the narrow rubber wheels will get stuck. The only solution in this case is to use the lift.

Remember!

Children always learn from adults. We should teach them correct behaviour from a young age, also during ordinary activities such as riding the escalator during a Sunday visit to the shopping mall. We often forget or are unaware of the basic rules of using this type of equipment, unknowingly creating a danger to ourselves and other users. Common sense and full concentration will help us to use these devices responsibly.