Elevator Safety Tips For Parents 

Next month, the building transportation industry raises awareness for safety on elevator and escalator equipment during Elevator and Escalator Safety Week. In honor of this, we are reviewing safety protocols for elevators in the event of an emergency. 

To children, an elevator may seem like a magical piece of equipment. It starts in one place, and by magic, the doors close and it ends up in another place! Some children also view elevators as a special place to play make-believe and see the passenger car as a rocketship, spaceship or other flying vehicle. While these imaginations are fine, it is also a good idea for parents and caretakers to review safety rules when riding an elevator. 

Stay Together 

Depending on the building, elevators can be very busy at high traffic times of the day. Therefore it is best to stay right with children who are traveling on an elevator to ensure they get off on the same floor as the person they are traveling with. 

Let an Adult Touch the Buttons

Elevator control panels have lots of fun buttons that may look like a game to young children, but they also include alarms that alert emergency responders. For this reason, young children should not use the elevator control panel unless closely monitored by a parent or guardian. 

Safe Entry & Exit 

Elevators usually open and close on a specific floor, but there is usually a small gap between the car and the floor. Mind the gap and be aware that you should step over it to avoid tripping. Young children will also want to hold on to toys while stepping on and off the elevator as they may slip into the crack and be lost or damaged. 

Stand Aside When Others Exit 

Unwritten rules of an elevator encourage behavior for entering and exiting the elevator. Most elevators work on a policy that those who are exiting the car should get off before others get on. Remind your children of this and that they should move to make room for new riders. 

Stay Clear of the Doors 

While it may be intriguing to a young child to figure out how the doors of the elevator work, they should be aware of the opening and closing to avoid getting fingers caught or pinched. Keep hands away from the doors when they are in motion and only hold the doors open if a passenger is entering or exiting. 

Use Handrails 

Should your child be a new walker, they may want to hold the handrails or the hand of a parent as the “landing” on a floor can be just enough to jostle a young child and cause a fall. 

Noise Control 

While there are no hard and fast rules about talking or making noise in an elevator, it should be noted that they are small and enclosed and should not be a place for loud music, screaming or roughhousing behaviors. Limit unnecessary noise and be mindful of other passengers on the ride. 

Over the next month, or any time you ride on an elevator with your child, review these tips to make for a safe and enjoyable ride. Contact Buckley Elevator today for more information about our commercial elevators.