One of Atlanta’s major airports, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, has taken action to make the public more aware of the dangers posed by escalators to airport visitors, especially children.  Airport officials announced on August 11, 2008, that a public service bulletin would be broadcast throughout the airport every five minutes warning visitors of the potential dangers escalators pose. 

Hartsfield-Jackson officials decided to take action following three separate incidents over the previous two months in which children, wearing soft-sided shoes or Crocs™, were injured when their shoes were caught in the escalators.  This change in policy comes several months after the Consumer Product Safety Commission released its latest bulletin regarding escalator dangers and tips on how to avoid them.

This danger is real in the Tampa Bay area, as many professional buildings and malls have escalators.  There was a serious case in 2002 where a young girl lost several fingers in an escalator at a St. Petersburg Dillard’s.  As a personal injury attorney and child safety advocate, I encourage parents to heed these precautions and be vigilant when riding the escalators with their children.