Are Lift Doors Risky for Your Child? 8 Safety Precautions

We use lifts almost daily, be it in apartments, offices, malls, hospitals, or metro stations, often without thinking much. You simply step in and, in less than 30 seconds, you reach your desired floor. Elevators might seem to have made your lives easier, but if you are a parent, there is another side that you should be aware of, considering it involves your child’s safety. Continue reading to know more.

A couple of days ago, a shocking video emerged online in which a toddler’s hand could be seen getting stuck in the retracting mechanism of a lift door. The incident, which took place in Pune, highlights a noteworthy danger of using lifts with kids or by kids alone. While the baby was rescued without any serious injury, we cannot simply ignore the possibility of severe bruises, fractures, or even worse.

Why Does This Happen?

To be able to understand why such mishaps can happen to anyone, it is important to first understand how an elevator actually works.

The elevators that we use nowadays have retractable doors that move into a hollow space called a "pocket" in the wall. If a baby leans his hand against the lift door while it is sliding, their hand may get dragged into the pocket gap, resulting in serious injuries.

While standard elevators have infrared light beams, older lifts found in older buildings use point sensors or 2D curtains that only detect large obstructions. Such sensors, however, have a huge flaw: they often cannot detect tiny objects, like a baby's hand or feet.

Also, in many old buildings, the 3-inch rule is not being followed, which says there should be a gap of no more than 3 inches between the inner and outer doors of the lift. A wider clearance gap easily allows a baby to put their hand inside.

Recommended Reads:

Mom Deepika Padukone Lashes Out At BMC Over Mumbai's Bad AQI

Mother Had No Idea Until an X-Ray Revealed a Safety Pin Inside Her Toddler

3 Year Old Drowns in Bengaluru While Family Was Clicking Maternity Pictures

“I Don’t Want a Zombie Child!” — Richa Chadha’s Honest Take on Screen Time at Mealtime

8 Safety Precautions for Parents

To avoid the lift completely might not be a feasible option for many, especially those living on the top floors of high-rise buildings. Here are 8 safety precautions that can actually help to make lift usage safer for your little ones:

1. Center Rule: If your child is old enough to get it, you can teach them the "hands-off" rule. Tell them they cannot and should not touch or lean against the lift wall or door ever. It doesn’t matter if the door is opening, closing, or moving. The best position is always the center of the lift.

2. Accompany Them: Don’t allow your little one to use the lift alone. It is important to make sure that they always have an adult family member or guardian with them. You can also hold their hands or keep them in your arms, depending on what is best for their age. You can instruct older kids to keep their hands in their pockets.

3. Stand In Between: Put yourself between the door and your little one. Your body can act as a barrier or shield to keep them away from the door. If you are holding your baby in your lap, use one arm to bind both of theirs so they are not able to move their hands into the door pocket or gap; even better, stand away from the door entirely.

4. No Touching Buttons: Never ask your child to press the buttons, as the control panel is often very close to the door gap, and they might lean against it to reach the buttons easily.

5. Regular Check: Check if the 3-inch rule is being followed. You shouldn’t be able to fit more than 2 fingers inside the door and the wall frame, and if you can,you should definitely highlight the issue. You can also check if the sensors are working well by using small objects, like a rolled newspaper, to see if they detect the obstruction.

6. Stroller Shield: If you are using a stroller for your little one, stand in the center to ensure your baby’s stray arm or leg does not reach the gap. Before entering the lift, make sure the stroller has no hanging toys, strings or items that can get stuck in the door. As soon as you are inside, lock the brakes.

7. Mind the Floor Gap: Think it is just the door that you need to be worried about? Well, the floor gap is equally dangerous for small objects like blanket corners, toys, and pacifiers. If these get stuck, it can result in a dangerous tugging force that is quite unsafe for the baby.

8. Set An Example: Children learn what they see. When you are using the lift with your little one, avoid using your hand or leg to stop the door from closing. If the sensors do not detect the obstruction, they will crush anything that comes in between.

If a child’s hand gets stuck in the lift door by mistake, press the Emergency Stop button or Alarm button immediately. It is important not to panic, and you should refrain from pulling your baby’s arm forcefully. Call for maintenance immediately while making sure the lift does not move. These small steps make a big impact on your child's safety