When Escalators Attack

When you think of things that might cause you harm, you think of falling boulders, car crashes, zoo animals escaping from their cages, and even listening to Backstreet Boys. But how often do you think of an escalator as something that can cause you potential harm? Personally, I rarely find myself in that position.

Until this morning that is. I was reading the news article when KAPOW! Out of nowhere, I see this headline that says, "Safety of Popular Shoes in Doubt." Being the very concerned and fashion savvy person I am, I just had to make sure the shoes I wear aren't a health hazard. It turns out, I'm safe--only because I don't wear Crocs. But the article was about how kids in Japan apparently are being injured wearing Crocs while they ride on escalators. After reading the article, what I took away from it was this-- If you happen to be an American Croc wearing citizen, you're safe as long as you don't visit Japan and ride the escalators for fun. I know, I probably just saved your life.

But what really struck me was when I saw that the article included a reference from the Elevator/Escalator Safety Foundation. Whoa, hold up. I couldn't believe it. This is too good to be true. Is there seriously a foundation dedicated solely to betterment of society through escalator safety? Neato. I just had to check it out. And what I found was truly fascinating. I wish i could highlight all of the great content on the website, but I'll let you do that for yourself.

My personal favorite part of the site was the Facts/Myths:

MYTH: Escalators can reach out and grab you.

TRUTH: No part of an escalator can do this. But people must be careful of loose clothes, untied or long shoelaces, high heels, long hair, long jewelry, etc. because these can get caught in an escalator's machinery.

Boy, I'll sure sleep better tonight knowing I'm safe from those snatching escalators.