Izuchukwu OkosiSweet adventure also kills. This best describes the accident or death associated with the elevator.
Recently, the news broke of the sad demise of a doctor, simply called Vwaere, who was killed inside the elevator of the hospital she worked for.
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Elevator is a metal box that transports people, pets and luggage from one level to another within an establishment, shopping malls and offices.
The need to use the elevator is similar to that of an aeroplane which makes a trip quicker and much more convenient.
Why do elevator accidents and deaths occur?
From experiences, deaths in the elevators sometimes occur due to power failure. This happens mostly in parts of continents like Africa, Carribeans and South America.
These are third world countries where regular power supply is at a premium.
READ: Elevator Accident: Lagos Says Lift Installer Handed Over To Police
Another reason for the occurrence of deaths in elevators is Negligence.
A lot of people do not know how to use the buttons inside the elevator. They do not understand the fact that the elevator car may not be perfectly level with the floor.
According to security alerts from the elevator industry, those boarding elevators are advised to hold the Door Open button if need be and be open to being taught on how to use it.
There are people who are untrainable and find it difficult to accept being corrected on how to make use of public utilities. It seems they are being embarrassed.
Fear is also another responsible for the rising state of elevator deaths. Because of fear and lack of attention, people do not take cognizance of their clothing and carry-ons from the openings.
Anxiety could impact on the severity of accidents in the elevator if it does not even lead to death.
It is important for those using the elevator to know their destination and press the correct button and press it once.
They should enter and exit carefully. Passengers nearest the doors should move first and never try to stop a closing door, wait for the next car.
The following are steps to take in avoiding elevator deaths
1. Transparent Elevators
This piece will advocate that the elevator engineers develop more transport elevators than the metallic types. Having some ventilation in such elevators is not odd.
This will ensure that those who need help are seen firsthand. And it is important that security officials are stationed at each point overlooking them.
2. Enlightenment
There should be regular announcements via the address systems where elevators are stationed to inform users on how to move from one point to another.
Assuming that everyone is in the know is wrong and that will help in emphasizing the need to seek for assistance from regular users.
3. Presence of Security and Health officials
There should be first aid boxes in elevators if possible. They are important for emergency situations.
Fire extinguishers in good condition should also be be in the elevators. There are times that these important things are lacking or not enough to avert dangers.
Additionally, people must also be helped while using the escalators just like the elevators.
4. Holding the handrail
Holding the rail of the elevator (and escalator) should not be a thing of embarrassment. Most people feel ashamed to admit that they don’t know how to use these devices.
Users should step on and off the escalator with care.
This writer had an awkward experience some years ago.
Not confident enough to step on the escalator, I had to hold on the handrail tightly.
Watching me descending was a Gen Z social media user (a young lady) who had observed the way I was uncomfortable and was with her phone.
The intention was to record the possible fall that might follow. But I kept my head straight and had a loud laugh when I got to the ground.
The pun was intended. I did not suffer the humiliation of falling over.
5. Avoiding running on the elevator.
Users of elevators (and escalators) must avoid running on them.
Pressure to meet up with appointments and loved ones are some of the reasons why there is terrible desperation to jump into it.
Rather than taking the staircases, the elevator helps in making the short journey faster so that is enough.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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