Elevators in residences pose risks to children
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in conjunction with the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association and the National Association of Elevator Contractors, announced their growing concern about the dangers lurking in elevators installed in residences. Small children can sneak in between the hoistway door and the room door and then become trapped. Once caught in that space, the children could suffer a catastrophic injury or die if the elevator moved. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and other stakeholders implore homeowners, landlords, superintendents, and anyone in charge of a residence equipped with an elevator to make sure it complies with the latest safety standards. Benzinga.com posted the statement made on behalf of the Consumer Product Commission on its website.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said that it is aware of numerous incidents in which small children either died or were catastrophically injured when they became trapped between elevator doors. The Commission said many of the injuries the surviving children endure would last a lifetime. Some of the injuries moving elevators inflicted upon small children concealed between elevator doors include horrific bone fractures and traumatic asphyxia.
The Commission, along with elevator safety stakeholders, suggest that homeowners hire a certified elevator inspector to investigate the gap between doors and any other safety problem that might exist. Elevators owners should make certain that their lift complies with the latest safety standard in the industry. That standard is ASME A17.1-2016 from the Safety Codes of Elevators and Escalators.
The homeowner has two potential repairs for the problem. They could install a guard to the rear of the room access door that denies access to little children. Alternatively, the homeowner could install a surveillance device that deactivates the elevator if a child enters the restricted area. Whichever solution the homeowner chooses, he or she must install the device as soon as possible to prevent a senseless tragedy.
If your child has been harmed in any type of elevator accident, it is essential that you contact one of our personal injury attorneys right away. Call Parker Waichman LLP at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for your free case review.
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