Elevator Safety Tips For Your Children

Are residential elevators safe for young children? Yes – if you follow a few simple rules and use common sense from the best Escalator Company fujihd.net.

If you’re the parent of a young child, you always want to set a good example. Elevators are one place to start. You should always hold doors open with the open button, not with your hands, arms, legs or feet. That might work for you, but if your little one tries it, they might not have the strength to trip the mechanism that opens the door. This can lead to bruises and… maybe even a fear of elevators.

First and MOST IMPORTANTLY - Do not allow children to use any elevator unattended

Never assume that your child does not know how to use your elevator - just because he has never used it before - there is a first time for everything

Just because your elevator meets the letter of the code does not guarantee that it is safe

Know your elevator, how it works and what to do in case of an emergency

With a few basic checks of your home elevator, you can use it safely and stay in your home for as long as you please

Periodically verify the basic safety devices are working

Make sure the phone will dial out. An older couple on the coast of Georgia tragically died in their elevator in 2010 because they were unable to call for help after becoming stuck between floors.

Make sure you cannot open the hoistway door if the elevator car is not there. As your house settles, doors can sag and the interlock can come out of alignment creating a hazard.

Make sure the elevator will not run if the hoistway landing door is open

Make sure the elevator will not run if the car gate is open

Make sure the joints in the elevator car gate have not split

Check the distance of the gap between the back of the landing door and the gate - 5 inches is code - but a small child can still fit between that space because the accordian gate has flex in it- consider other safety devices even if your elevator meets code

A door lock can be added to the hoistway door - as long it is not set up where someone could be locked inside the elevator shaft

A door lock with a keypad eliminates the need to keep track of a key. Ensure that access is always unlocked from inside the hoistway so nobody becomes trapped in the elevator.

An elevator company can add a keyed shut off that will prevent anyone from using the elevator until the system is turned on with the key

an elevator company can add a key lock on the call stations and on the car operating panel to prevent unauthorized use

An elevator company can add a photo eye or a light curtain - which is like a stack of photo eyes - to the front of the elevator cab to eliminate the gate flex issue

An elevator company can add a photo eye or light curtain to each hoistway door space to stop the car from running if a child or obstacle is in the doorway

The hoistway doors can be set further into the hoistway if you get special door interlocks

Never remove your hoistway door or the keeper on the door as this can mess up the alignment of your interlock

Know how to get out of the elevator if you are stuck between floors

A child may think the elevator is the perfect place to hide during a game of hide and seek - do not let an innocent game become a tragedy - make sure your elevator is child proof

Many home elevator accidents occur when children are playing on elevators

It is important to balance usability with safe guards. Do not make the elevator so hard to use that an older person chooses the stairs instead ofthe elevator and then falls down the stairs. With so many options available, we can help you find a good solution for everybody.

If you sell your home, make sure that the new owner is aware of the reason your safeguards are in place, otherwise they may remove them.

If you own a rental property with a home elevator in it, consider adding one or more safety devices and signs to help keep your guests safe

Most elevators have battery lowering systems, so do NOT shut off your elevator thinking you are making it safer. The batteries the lowering system will die requiring a service call to replace them.

Lastly, don’t forget to point out the simple truth: elevators, by design and because of regular maintenance, are incredibly safe. If you want to explore adding a residential elevator in your DE home, give us a call – we’re kid friendly!