What is "Common Sense Elevator Safety" you may ask? When it comes to the public, those of us in the vertical transportation industry have many times watched the public misuse elevators and escalators. Many times basic elevator safety just means in plain language to use common sense and to think first when it comes to putting your hands and legs out there. Every time I go to the mall or airport I witness someone sticking their arms out and grab the door as if that's going to make it return to open, or someone skipping steps on an escalator, worse yet, someone with a baby stroller on an escalator. It's almost frightening to see these things, I just hold my breathe and cross my fingers, and hope nothing bad happens. I always walk away thinking to myself, has people become so careless that they're willing to put life and limb in jeopardy, or worse, someone else's?
Always stop and think if your actions will affect you and/or others around you. If nothing else, stay free and clear of potential harm. Elevators and escalators were designed to move people, and unfortunately cannot be made to eliminate entirely some risk factors. You can add all the safety mechanisms and switches you want, but the main factor for safety is "common sense". Maybe that's something many people take for granted. But remember, next time you use an elevator, escalator, home lift, or wheelchair lift, make certain that common sense is used and reaching your destination safely is your main objective.
