(1888PressRelease)
November 02, 2009 - The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) and Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation of Canada (EESFC), along with industry professionals in North America, will celebrate National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week from November 8 – 14, 2009. Safety Week is a promotion of public safety awareness for elevators, escalators and moving walks. The celebration began in 1994 and has continued annually the second full week of November.
The EESF’s mission is to educate the public on the safe and proper use of elevators, escalators and moving walks through informational programs. Safety Week provides a focal point for the industry, on a local and national level, to join together to spread the word about public safety. EESF invites elevator/escalator companies, transit authorities and labor organizations as well as individuals to make this special week a huge success in cities throughout the North America.
EESF provides a free Safety Week Planning Guide which includes information on organizing events and printable materials to use for Safety Week. The guide includes tools such as proclamations, press releases for local media, safety coloring sheets for children and safety handouts for adult riders. The Planning Guide can be downloaded by visiting the Safety Week section of EESF’s web site at www.EESF.org/Education. Organizers may also request a copy of the Planning Guide by contacting EESF.
The Foundation also has developed a Safety Week Kit to help volunteers and organizations celebrate. It may be purchased by any interested group or individual for $350 plus shipping costs. The items included in the kit are the Planning Guide, a table cloth customized with the Safety Week logo, a display banner, 2 Safe-T Rider DVDs, 5 Safe-T Rider posters, 500 Safe-T Rider Activity Books and 500 Safe-T Rider stickers. Those who have purchased a Safety Week Kit in the past can order refill materials by contacting EESF.
EESF strongly encourages its members and others in the industry to volunteer by presenting the Safe-T Rider program to children in their area. Safety Week provides the perfect opportunity to visit a school in your area!
The following are simple safety rules emphasized during Safety Week. EESF encourages everyone to spread the word about safety. To help promote this cause, post the following general safety tips on your company/organization’s web site, in a common area or other relevant space where many people might read them. Feel free to put a link to EESF’s web site from your web site!
For more information about volunteering, the Free Planning Guide or the Safety Week Kit, visit www.EESF.org/Education, call (800) 949-6442 or e-mail info ( @ ) EESF dot org dot
NATIONAL ELEVATOR ESCALATOR SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK
- NOVEMBER 8 - 14, 2009 -
General Safety Tips:
Before entering escalators:
• No hand trucks or hand carts.
• No freight.
• No wheelchairs, strollers or baby buggies.
• No walkers or wheeled vehicles.
• No loose clothing—clogs, flip flops, soft-soled shoes or scarves.
• Be careful when carrying hanging clothes.
• No running or walking—stand still.
• Don’t ride barefoot or with loose shoelaces.
• Parents - supervise the conduct and activity of your children.
• Use emergency button in emergency situations only.
When entering escalators:
• Check the direction of the moving steps.
• Step on and off promptly.
• Take extra care if you are wearing bifocals.
• Hold children or small packages firmly in one hand.
• Grasp the handrail as you step promptly onto the moving step.
• Don’t crowd the escalator. Leave enough room for emergency situations.
When riding escalators:
• Stand toward the middle of the step – away from the sides and face forward. Don’t lean against the sides.
• Don’t allow children to sit on steps.
• Do not sit umbrellas on steps.
• Keep a firm grip on the handrail. Reposition your hand slowly if the handrail moves ahead or behind the steps. Escalators may stop for safety precautions.
• Don’t rest your handbag or parcels or any other objects on the handrail or steps or anywhere. Keep objects in hands at all times.
• Pay attention. Don’t window-shop while riding.
When exiting escalators:
• Be sensitive to those in front of you.
• Don’t hesitate. Step off promptly.
• Immediately move clear of the escalator exit area – don’t stop to talk or look around. Other passengers may be behind you.
These same safety tips apply to moving walks!
When you approach the elevator:
• Know your destination. Push the Up or Down button for the direction you want to go.
• Stand aside for exiting passengers.
• Wait for the next car if the elevator is full.
• Don’t try to stop a closing door with anything including hands, feet or canes. Wait for the next elevator.
• Take the stairs if there is a fire in the building—do not use the elevator.
When you enter and exit the elevator:
• Enter and exit carefully. Watch your step.
• Hold children firmly.
• Stand clear of the doors – keep clothes and carry-ons away from the opening.
• Push and hold the Door Open button if doors need to be held open, or ask someone to push the Door Open button for you.
While riding the elevator:
• Stand back from the doors.
• Hold the handrail, if available.
• Pay attention to the floor indications.
• If the doors do not open when the elevator stops, push the Door Open button.
• If there is an emergency—use the provided phone or intercom system.
• Be considerate. Keep elevator clean for passenger comfort.
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