Keep your little ones safe

Riding the elevator may seem like the easiest thing in the world. One push of a button and presto, there you are ten floors high in matter of a few seconds. Seems like child play, doesn’t it? But after the most tragic, gut-wrenching incident in Hyderabad where a little girl’s head got caught beneath the lift floor, elevator safety has become a much talked about subject and a topic of much concern. However in India, elevator safety norms are often callously ignored despite the fact that millions of Indian city dwellers rely on elevators to reach their high rise homes or offices. Instead of relying solely on elevator companies, it will be really useful to follow these guidelines for our safety while using the elevator.

1.    Watch your step when entering or exiting an elevator, especially when you are using it along with children.

2.     Never allow children to use the elevator unaccompanied by adults. When you are entering the elevator with toddlers, make sure to mind the gap. Be mindful of untied shoelaces, long dupattas etc.

3.    Educational institutions should have an adult operating/supervising the elevator carrying children.

4.    Stand aside and allow exiting passengers to get off before entering.

5.    Push and hold the DOOR OPEN button if doors need to be held open for someone approaching to get on; don’t keep the elevator open using your arms or feet. In many elevators, the sensors do not work.

6.    Stay away from the doors at all times. Keep your belongings away as well. Never interfere with closing doors.

7.    Never attempt to pry open the elevator doors.

8.    Never jump up and down while in the elevator. Discourage children from doing so.

9.    Never cram into an elevator that is exceeding its capacity and actively discourage anyone else from cramming into an elevator.

10.    Do not panic in the event of power failure. In most residential complexes with power backup, the power will come back quickly. On other occasions, ring the alarm or use the phone to notify the lift maintenance team.  Somebody will come…

11.    If you are stuck inside an elevator, try making a phone call from your mobile, you might just be lucky. While capsule or completely enclosed elevators cuts off the mobile and data network, the grilled elevators doesn’t.

12.    Those who are claustrophobic or prone to getting panic attacks can carry a bronchodilator just for alleviating the fear of suffocation. You needn’t necessarily use it. (Talk to a medical practitioner about using bronchodilators). Pssst..it will make you feel braver.

Image Source – Flickr