Recent report shows the downside of escalators

In college, whenever I rode an escalator with one of my best friends, Peggy, she would tell me about how she had been injured on an escalator when she was a little girl. I would always grasp the handrail tighter after hearing her tale.

I’ve lost touch with Peggy, but I still remember her cautionary words whenever I ride an escalator. Now, a recent report suggests that all of us aging baby boomers (and especially women) should do the same.

A study of emergency-room data (ironically conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at Indiana University’s Riley Hospital for Children) shows that the rate of escalator-related injuries among older adults, 65 and up, more than doubled between 1991 and 2005, from 4.9 to 11 per 100,000 riders. Annually, the older population requires an average 2,660 emergency room visits for escalator-related injuries, compared to about 2,000 for children.

Among the elderly, women have more than twice as many injuries as men and the rate of injury increases with age. The major cause of the injuries: a slip, trip or fall. Almost 14 percent of the incidents occurred while people were stepping on or off the escalator, 6 percent when people reported misstepping or losing their balance and 3 percent when clothes, shoes, bags or body parts got caught in the escalator. Injuries due to walking up or down the moving escalator were rarely reported in this study although the authors note that in another study, 60 percent of the escalator-related injuries were caused by a person walking or moving. (In that study, however, there were very few adults 70 or older). 

One of the study’s authors, Joseph O’Neil M.D., says it’s unclear why the injury rate has escalated so sharply in 14 years—whether there are more escalators, more seniors, or both. “My suspicion is that we have more older adults who treasure their independence and are more active in the community," he says. "So there’s a greater risk of exposure and with that greater risk of exposure comes a greater risk of injury.”

The study urges greater public awareness of the risks to older adults riding the escalators, especially when stepping on or off. To minimize the risks, older adults should also avoid walking up or down a moving escalator, carrying large objects, or wearing loose shoes or garments while riding. For those who have difficulty walking or maintaining balance, an elevator is a far better choice.

I think my friend Peggy would agree with that. —Caroline Mayer

Comments

[Kristen Johnson]

A couple of years ago I had an accident when coming down an escalator, my long skirt got caught down the side of the step, unfortunately I didn't notice until I tried to step off and my skirt started to get pulled under the floor. Somebody stopped the escalator, but a lage portion of my skirt was jammed inside, which pinned me to the floor. In the end they had to cut off the part that was caught to get me free.

I have never been so frightened and embarrassed in my life and to make things worse when my mom contacted the place where this happened to make a complaint, I was blamed for not lifting my skirt while on the escalator. We also found out that this had happened before to two other women.

I would recommend anybody in loose clothing to be extra careful, especially women wearing long skirts or dresses.

[Norm Senn]

Having lived in London, England for many years I have travelled extensively on elevators. The underground train system has some of the longest and steepest escalators you can imagine. Millions of people use these escalators daily and there are occasional bad accidents but these are reduced without too much difficulty because there is a common rule - the escalator is wide enough that people on one side stand and ride while on the other side, people can walk or if they are slightly mad,and the walking side is clear, people RUN the length of the escalator. It seems we, in North America have adopted this on our moving walkways in many airports but not on escalators.

[Ralph X Thompson]

On the issue of escalators, I was a Risk & Claims Manager dealng with escalators at a major airport. What people tend to forget is that excalators are 'heavy equipment' and should be used with care.... Often parents at the airport, while waiting for a flight, allow their kids to play around the escalators.. Women often wear long dresses loose clothing which can get caught in the moving parts... People see a stopped escalator and continue to walk up or down....This is dangerous as the level of the steps change and people can fall... Older folks should hold on to a younger person when getting off....
There are warning signs all over the airport but they are ignored.
We would get at least one claim a month and 99% of the time someone had ignored the signs and an injury occurred....

[Kris]

This article reminded me of an event nearly 40 years ago when I was in college. My date and I were in a store going up an escalator when he leaned over the edge to point to something in a department below. Being on the step above him, I turned and was horrified to see that his head and neck were seconds from becoming trapped and possibly crushed in that triangular space created by the side of the escalator and the approaching ceiling.
Fortunately I was able to grab the back of his jacket and yank him clear. I'll never forget the look on his face when he realized how close he came to severe injury.

Since then plexiglas shields or solid barriers have been introduced to prevent similar incidents. As to the present day, I'll bet a fair percentage of the injuries are due to simple inattention either to surroundings or to children in tow.

[John]

I just completed a lot of travel and watched in awe and fear as people of all ages tried to get themselves on and off escalators at airports, some at a near-run, and many pulling or pushing large wheeled luggage. It often seemed a fall was imminent. Until recently when I turned 61, I would do the same. However, I found that with progressive trifocal lenses and the innate instability of wheeled luggage, that I did not feel safe doing so. It sometimes takes a few extra seconds to find the often-concealed elevators, but that’s now my mode of powered vertical climb and descent!

[Peter McIver]

Hi,
Maybe Peggy got injured by hanging on to the handrail!
Most escalators have a sign reminding folk to not hold onto the handrail which moves at a different speed than the steps and
can pull you off balance,
Peter

[Joanne Marcoccia]

Are there any stats regarding those who put strollers -- with children in the strollers no less -- on escalators? Blatent disregard for safety of all.

[Ann]

I think one of the reasons there may be more accidents is that a lot of the newer escalators are steeper and run faster than they use to. This may be fine for the younger folks, but I would think it would be more dangerous for families with younger children as well.

[FRANK CRANE]

Dear Caroline Mayer,

THE DOWNSIDE OF ESCALATORS, is just the beginning of good advice for older adults. That precaution should extend to any and all stairways, in public or private places, men and women.

I am 74 years of age, very spry and athletic, and have developed the habit of placing one hand on the handrail when ever I am on any stairs or steps, not just on escalators. That way, if I should ever lose my balance, step on an object like a toy, or get distracted by the sight of a lovely lady, my hand is already in position to grasp the railing tightly before actually falling.

This simple advice I have passed on to innerable seniors, often people I have never seen before or since. Never has anyone told me to mind my own business. I always notice that they start the same habit.

A good habit like this is hard to break, once it is ingrained. While it has never, to this day saved my neck, I am certain that there will be a time when that immediate grasp will prevent a severe fall that otherwise could easily result in the loss of my independence.

Thank you, Consumer Reports, for the opportunity to pass this along to innumerable older adults.

I'll bet your friend Peggy would agree--Frank Crane

[Dawn White]

I believe that this article is totally correct. I was at the mall two days ago, and a handicapped person was having trouble getting on the escalator. The woman almost tripped on the step, but correct because some was there to help her. The escalators needs to have a warning on them.

Dawn

[Laura O'Connor]

This was an informative article, however, it failed to pint out that many people develop depth perception or other visual imapirments, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or even legal blindness as they age. Escalators typically do not have high contrast markings on the edges of the steps, making even someone who sees well, but might not pay attention to details such as edges, fall or slip.

[Ray Taviner]

Touching escalator handrails is a good place to pick up viruses. If available try using a glove. If travelling with a companion, hold onto each other or have hand wipes ready.

[Bob Fox]

Over 20 years ago I was shopping in Beverly Hills at a very nice store. I was going down the escalator. There was a woman with one or two children about 20 feet ahead of me. I heard words of fright ahead of me and looked to see that her little girl's dress was caught in the teeth along the side. I ran down the steps and pulled on the child's dress. I got her free but tore the dress. The woman was Ali McGraw (Love Story) but the children belonged to a male movie star whose name escapes me.

I was a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Reserves and they wanted to write a letter of appreciation but I declined. They were most appreciative and very friendly. She was certainly a woman with class. Escalators can be very dangerous. Just remember as one way to stop all escalators is that at the bottom below one of the sides is an EMERGENCY SHUTOFF SWITCH.

[Walton Stewart]

I'd love to know how these statistics compare with Germany. I spent 14 weeks there recently, and the Germans almost always walk up and down with the escalators, and seem quite irritated with those who merely ride. They attempt to walk around the riders if they possibly can. That was just one of many differences in their behavior that I noticed while visiting.