Mangled hands and feet, lacerated tendon, broken
fingers and toes plus head injuries are all documented
escalator injuries. Children can get caught in the folds
when they play on escalators. Those aged six and
younger are at the highest risk. To keep your child safe on
these moving mechanisms, follow these tips:
• Check for loose or dangling items of clothing before
stepping on escalators. Loose shoelaces and drawstrings
can get trapped in an escalator’s moving parts.
• Lift toddlers on and off the steps. Shoes with
soft rubber soles have been known to slip into cracks
between steps and the escalator wall. So try to keep
those little feet planted firmly on the steps.
• When you’re shopping with a child in a stroller,
always use the elevator. Escalators aren’t wide enough to
accommodate a stroller so its weight may not be evenly
balanced on the step. The stroller may also block your
view of the bottom of the escalator when descending.
