What to Look for When Entering and Exiting an Elevator

One of the most important yet forgotten aspects of riding an elevator is taking precautions to stay safe. It is important to check for safety before getting on and getting off an elevator. At times, people can be preoccupied with a number of other distractions such as children, a phone call, or talking with others. In this case it’s easy to walk onto an elevator that might not be safe. Keep reading this page for more information on what to look for when you are taking an elevator to try and prevent an injury. 

Five Things to Look For

1. Watch your step as you get on and off the elevator. It might not be aligned with the floor and could cause tripping to any passengers. If it exceeded the area where it needed to stop, you might take a step and realize it’s higher or lower than you expected and fall. These injuries lead to others such as concussions or broken bones. 
2. Be sure to read the maximum capacity and do not let anyone exceed it. If there are too many people trying to fit onto one ride, let people know that they need to exit the elevator or make room for you to exit. A good way to tell if the capacity has been reached is if there is enough room for you to comfortably stand. If it seems full, wait for the next one to arrive. 
3. If there is a fire in the building, it can affect the electrical machines and cause them not to work properly or at all. If this is the case, take the stairs and avoid the elevator. The last thing you need during a fire is to be stuck in an elevator with others as anxiety takes over everyone. 
4. While entering or leaving an elevator watch for the closing doors. Many accidents occur by loose items being caught in the elevator doors. This can cause serious injury to the passengers and ultimately stop the elevator. 
5. If someone needs extra time to enter or exit the elevator, be sure to press the button that keeps the doors open instead of placing an arm or object in the doorway. This way you don’t have the chance of injuring yourself while waiting for others to load the car. 

Getting Help 

Keeping these five tips and strategies in mind can help you in the future to avoid any injuries that may occur on an elevator. If you find yourself dealing with any elevator injuries contact our office for more help.