National Elevator/Escalator Safety Awareness Week was created around the country by the Elevator/Escalator Safety Foundation. This foundation, which is a charitable organization, was formed in 1991 to help promote safety while using elevators and escalators. This program is geared mainly towards the children who need to learn safety precautions while riding them. Every year during the second week in November, volunteers across the country make visits to their local school districts where they educate children on this specific safety program through educational videos, distribution of coloring books and colorful mascot costumes.

Each and every year during safety awareness week, the Safety Foundation chooses a representative from each state or area (usually the Mayor or Governor) to help promote the cause. That person then signs a document declaring that week in November to officially be Elevator/Escalator Safety Awareness Week.

Escalators are an everyday convenience that most people tend to take for granted. Many people don’t know that the Escalator actually began in 1895 as an amusement-park ride in Coney Island. Today, there are nearly 3,000 escalators throughout the New York City area all of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Buildings.

This year, the focus is on Escalators. The Department joined the NYCT at locations throughout the City, including public schools, to discuss safety and distribute information. They have designated a mascot to pass on this information to the children. After all, children tend to relate to cartoon characters and this will help them pay more attention to the message of safety that is being taught. As part of the classes, students receive coloring books to help familiarize themselves with Elevator and Escalator parts and can ask questions on how to stay safe. Students also watch a short video which reviews important tips for safely entering and exiting elevators and escalators.

This event is used to promote public safety awareness for the city’s equipment as well as the educate the everyday citizens that use them. There are approximately sixty to eighty escalator accidents a year. Many of those accidents are known as “slip and trip,” because the rider is the main cause of the accident. Fortunately, most accidents can be avoided by following some very simple advice.

Before entering onto the escalator, make sure that anything that could be caught is tucked in, such as shoelaces. Always step on and off the escalator with extreme caution. Always make sure to stand facing forward and hold firmly on to the handrails and avoid the sides under the rails. Be careful to watch any children that are with you or around you. Always hold on to your packages, pocketbooks and any other accessories you might have with you that could get caught. Always move away from the exit area of the escalator quickly. Never jump, run or try to walk backwards on the escalator. Escalators are designed to move people from one place to another. You should never place a stroller, walker or cart on the escalator.

Elevator/Escalator Safety Week in NYC is a great tool that can effectively educate the youth about how to use vertical moving apparatuses safely; thus, preventing many unnecessary accidents each year. As always, knowledge is power, and to give this knowledge to people gives power to keep children safe.

Author Bio: Wilson Castrillon has been in the elevator industry for over 25 years. In the 1990s he received his NYC Department of Buildings inspector’s license and his QEI Certification. In 1999 he started his own elevator consulting business providing design, engineering, and more. www.cbaconsultants.com

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Keywords: Elevator Safety Week,Escalator safety,NYC safety,Escalator Design,Elevator Consultants