Home Elevators in Vancouver are becoming big business. After all, what could be better than never having to carry boxes up the stairs or hauling dozens of boxes up and down when you’re moving? With more and more homes having one, the home elevator is becoming a common sight. However, with its rise in popularity has also come the rise in horrific accidents, most of which involve children.
For those who are unaware, the in-home elevator is much like a normal one you will find in any building except for one feature. Instead of a single set of doors that open right into the platform and close only once you are inside, the in-home elevator has a door with a several inch gap before you get onto the platform. This several inch runner area does not go up, but the first door must be shut. So a child may shut the outer door while standing in this gap and attempt to operate the elevator.
As many parents and children have found, this design flaw can have disastrous or even deadly consequences for children. Young children who do not know better stand in the gap with the door closed in front of them and as the elevator goes up, but they do not, the elevator crushes them against the outer door and the elevator mechanisms. Then when the elevator comes down, the injured child can find themselves pinned underneath it as the elevator comes down on them from above.
So what can a parent or a person watching a child do if they have an in-home elevator? First, you can keep it locked when children are around and forbid its use to the children. This is an easy and practical first step. If your child is very determined to try and get at it, move a couch or other furniture in front of it to detract from their ability to get inside. If the child seems dead set on using it then simply pull the elevator breaker so it will not run.
Another way to deal with an in-home elevator is to show them the proper elevator safety and make sure they understand the importance of going all the way into the elevator before operation. Teaching your child good safety also has the benefit of having them aware in case their friends are over and curious.
The other major thing you can do to mitigate an accident is to simply install some infrared or pressure safety measures so it will not operate if anything or anyone stands in the gap.
Small changes like this can mean life or death to a child so if you have an in-home elevator, make sure you take safety seriously. Contact Home Elevators Of BC for more information about installing a home elevator that is safe.