A reported fall on an escalator takes place at least once a day, on average, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with one to two falls per week resulting in transportation to a local hospital. A new safety campaign from the airport reminds the public that preventable escalator accidents can ruin your trip, hurt someone else, and take equipment out of service.
The video campaign introduces a group of youngsters as the SEA Safety Squad. The squad and their four-legged companion are serious about teaching adults, and all of us, the proper way to use escalators to keep everyone safe. Watch the video below or on the Port of Seattle’s YouTube channel.
When a fall results in a transport for medical treatment, that escalator must be shut down until it can be inspected by Washington State Labor and Industries. Escalators can be out of service for multiple days or even weeks at a time.
SEA operates 97 escalators across the airport – more than any other facility in Washington state. SEA also has 105 elevators and 7 moving walkways, meaning your journey through the airport will likely include one or all of these systems.
“Preventable escalator falls are one of the most common accidents we see at SEA,” said Lance Lyttle, managing director of SEA Airport. “Take the trip you planned for – not one to the hospital. Play it safe. Use the elevator when your hands are full and take extra caution with family and pets who need extra support.”
The most common causes of escalator accidents include:
- Taking heavy bags and/or carts on the escalator – they can shift or fall unexpectedly, landing on you or the people behind you
- Pet paws getting caught or injured on the grates and steps
- Soft-sided shoes getting stuck on steps
Good advice to play it safe:
- Stand toward the middle of the step and face forward – those brushes on the sides of the escalator are NOT to clean your shoes
- Step quickly on and off the escalator, and move away from the area as quickly as you can
- Use the elevator if you feel tired or unsure about your balance or if you are handling bulky or oversized luggage or items
Travelers can download the FlySEA app to help them find their way across the airport, as well as other helpful information from accessibility assistance to dining and retail options.
Contact
Perry Cooper | Port of Seattle Senior Media Officer
(206) 787-4923 | cooper.p@portseattle.org
