New York Escalator Accidents – How Many Are Enough Before Change Happens?

This month a four-year-old boy lost a finger while riding the escalator at Macy’s famous store in Manhattan’s Herald Square. Unfortunately, escalator accidents at Macy’s are a common occurrence for children – in 2005 another 4-year-old lost a finger when she tripped at the top of the wooden escalator she was riding with her father and in 2006 a two-year-old boy lost part of his thumb on the fourth story escalator.

Each year, an estimated 10,000 injuries occur on escalators – and many of the injury victims are small children. Escalators can suck in small fingers and toes—often after a shoelace or piece of clothing becomes caught in the machine. There are no national regulations for escalators and many of the machines are not regularly inspected for safety issues. Even small issues like missing teeth, protruding nails, and small gaps can cause slip and fall accidents or amputation accidents. In some cases, children have been strangled after a loose sweatshirt tie or piece of clothing is trapped in an escalator.

What can parents do to keep their children safe while on escalators?

• Make sure your children’s shoelaces are tied and that they do not have loose or dragging clothing.
• Keep feet and clothing away from the sides of the escalator – keep to the middle of the step.
• Hold on to the handrail, and take hold of your child’s hand.
• Don’t let children put their hands near the escalator steps.
• Be especially careful at the top and bottom of an escalator – as you step on and off.
• If you are alone or have an older child, take the stairs.
• If you have a stroller, packages, or more than one child, look for a nearby elevator.
• Be especially careful when wearing sandals, flip-flops, or soft-soled shoes.
• Never ride an escalator barefoot.
• Never let children play on an escalator.