Tips for riders & owners

Enjoy safe and pleasant, elevator and escalator rides by following these safety tips from Schindler.

Rider tips
Owner & manager tips

Elevator safety tips

Watch your step – the elevator car may not be perfectly level with the floor.
Stand clear of the doors – keep clothes and anything you're carrying away from the opening.
Hold children and pets firmly.
Passengers nearest to the doors should move first when the car arrives.
Push and hold the DOOR OPEN button if doors need to be held open, or ask someone to push the button for you.
Never try to stop a closing door, wait for the next car.
Pay attention to the floor indications.
If the doors do not open when the elevator stops, push the DOOR OPEN button.

In the event of an elevator emergency

If the elevator should ever stop between floors, do not panic. There is plenty of air in the elevator.
Never climb out of a stalled elevator.
Use the ALARM or HELP button, the telephone or the intercom to call for assistance.
Above all, wait for qualified help to arrive and never try to leave an elevator that has not stopped normally.
Emergency lighting will come on in the event of a power failure.

Escalator safety tips

Watch the direction of the moving step and step on and off with extra care.
Take care if you are wearing bifocals or similar eyewear.
Hold children firmly with one arm or hold child’s free hand.
Hold small packages firmly in one hand, but always leave one hand available to hold the handrail.
Grasp the handle as you step onto the moving step.
Do not go in the opposite direction of the escalator.
Do not take wheelchairs, electric scooters, strollers, hand carts, luggage carts or similar items on the escalator.
When riding escalators: Keep loose clothing clear of steps and sides.
Wear closed-toed and hard-soled shoes, and avoid wearing footwear made of soft-resin or other rubbery materials.
Stand clear of the sides of the escalator.
Face forward and keep firm grip on the handrail.
Reposition your hand slowly if the handrail moves ahead or behind the steps.
Don’t climb onto or ride the handrail.
Do not let children sit on steps or stand too close to sides.
When exiting escalators: Don't hesitate and step off promptly.
Make sure to step over the comb fingers; don’t let your feet slide off the end of the escalator.
Immediately move clear of the escalator exit area; don't stop to talk or look around since other passengers may be behind you.

Before you call for service

Confirm that there is a problem, particularly if you hear about it second hand.
Check the STOP switch or button. Be sure it's in the normal "run" position.
Check all keyed or restricted switches to be sure they're in their normal "run" positions.
Check for doorway obstructions. This can include foreign matter in door sill grooves or objects blocking complete closure of the doors.
Be sure you're receiving full power from your utility. Have a qualified person check to see if there is a tripped breaker on the main power supply.

Emergency situations

Stalled elevators

Contact people in the car. Make sure no one has accidentally activated the emergency STOP switch. If not, assure them that help is being called.
Call your elevator service company and advise them that you have an entrapment.
Continue communicating with people in the car. Assure them that they are in no danger, and remind them that they should remain in the car until help arrives. Advise them of the technician's estimated arrival time.
DO NOT attempt to open elevator doors or any car-top doors. Wait for help to arrive. You can put yourself or passengers in severe peril if you attempt to remove passengers yourself.

Fires

Elevators should never be used during a fire except for firefighters or other specially trained people. The building stairways should be used as the exit route for people who may be in the building during a fire emergency.

Earthquakes

In many earthquake prone areas of the country, local codes require special earthquake features on elevator systems. These may include seismic switches which detect movement and shut down the elevator.