(ARA) - Whether traveling on vacation or staying home, the
summer means more time spent out and about. With activities ranging
from swimming at the local pool to attending festivals, amusement
parks and sporting events, people are visiting new places and new
buildings.
The Elevator and Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) and the
National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) remind people to ride
safely when using building transportation. NEII and EESF together
promote escalator safety
rules and encourage building and equipment owners to make riders
aware of them.
"Escalators are an extremely safe form of transportation," says
Barbara Allen, executive director and spokesperson for EESF. "They
transport more than 300 million people in North America daily.
However, it's always important to follow simple safety guidelines
and adults, especially, should supervise and set a good example for
their children."
Some tips for a safe ride:
When entering escalators:
* Watch the direction of the moving step and step on and off
with extra care.
* Take care if you are wearing bifocals or similar eyewear.
* Hold children firmly with one arm or hold child's free
hand.
* Hold small packages firmly in one hand, but always leave one
hand available to hold the handrail.
* Grasp the handrail as you step onto the moving step.
* Do not go in the opposite direction of the escalator.
* Do not take wheelchairs, electric scooters, strollers, hand
carts, luggage carts or similar items on the escalator.
* Keep loose clothing clear of steps and sides.
* Wear closed-toed and hard-soled shoes, and avoid wearing
footwear made of soft-resin or other rubbery materials.
* Stand clear of the sides of the escalator.
* Face forward and hold handrail for the entire ride.
* Reposition your hand slowly if the handrail moves slightly
ahead or behind the steps.
* Don't rest any items or parcels on the handrail or lean
against the sides.
* Don't climb onto or ride the handrail.
* Do not let children sit on steps or stand too close to
sides.
* If children are too small to hold handrail, or holding the
handrail pulls them close to the side of the escalator, hold their
hand and keep them centered on the step.
* Don't hesitate and step off promptly.
* Make sure to step over the comb fingers; don't let your feet
slide off the end of the escalator.
* Immediately move clear of the escalator exit area; don't stop
to talk or look around since other passengers may be behind
you.
For more information about escalator safety, visit the
NEII Web site at www.neii.org, or the EESF Web site at
www.eesf.org. The EESF Web site offers online interactive safety
programs for both children and adults.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
