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Warning: Crocs and thongs on escalators, half Aussie parents don't know the risk

Agent99

Key Facts:

• Research commissioned by Schindler Lifts Australia found that three in four Australian children (75%) have worn soft or flexible footwear, such as Crocs or rubber thongs, on an escalator in the past 12 months, yet almost half of parents (49%) were unaware this type of footwear can be more vulnerable to becoming caught in an escalator.
• Almost one in three parents (32%) have never specifically taught their child how to use escalators and lifts safely, with over a third of that group (37%) unaware there were specific safety rules to teach.
• Child psychologist Breanna Sada emphasises that the concern is not the footwear itself but foot placement, advising parents to teach children to keep their feet in the middle of the step and away from the sides, in the same practical, positive way they teach other everyday safety habits.
• Schindler has outlined five key safety habits for families to practise, focusing on standing in the middle of the step, stepping on and off carefully, keeping clothing and footwear away from moving parts, not playing with handrails or lift doors, and knowing how to use the emergency stop button.
• To support parents in having these conversations, Schindler has made free educational resources available through its Ellie & Esky Learning Hub, including colouring-in sheets, a school holiday activity book, and a safety pledge certificate.

THE POPULAR KIDS’ FOOTWEAR HABIT PROMPTING A SCHOOL HOLIDAY SAFETY REMINDER FOR PARENTS

 

New Schindler research reveals a gap in parents' awareness of a common school holiday escalator risk

 

New national research commissioned by Schindler Lifts Australia reveals three in four Australian children (75%) have worn soft or flexible footwear, such as Crocs or rubber thongs, while using an escalator in the past 12 months. It's a popular kids' habit that's prompting a fresh safety reminder as families head out during the school holidays.

Despite how common the footwear is, almost half of parents (49%) say they weren’t aware that soft or flexible footwear can be more vulnerable to becoming caught in an escalator when positioned too close to the side or edges.

Child psychologist and mother, Breanna Sada, says the footwear itself isn’t the concern, it’s about where little feet are placed. “This isn’t about telling parents to throw out the Crocs. Almost every child has a favourite pair of soft, comfortable shoes, and that’s completely normal. What matters is teaching children to keep their feet in the middle of the step and away from the sides, whatever they’re wearing. It’s a small habit that makes a real difference,” Breanna says.

The findings point to a broader gap in how confident parents feel teaching escalator and lift safety. Almost one in three parents (32%) say they have never specifically taught their child how to use escalators and lifts safely, and among that group, more than a third (37%) say they simply didn’t realise there were specific safety rules to teach. Separately, 27% of parents say their child has leaned against or dragged their feet along the side of an escalator in the past 12 months; the exact behaviour that puts soft footwear most at risk.

“Parents already teach kids everyday safety habits such as looking both ways before crossing the road, hold the rail on the stairs, without making them anxious about it. Escalator and lift safety deserves the same practical, positive approach: tell children clearly what to do, rather than what not to do, and repeat it often enough that it becomes second nature,” Breanna says.

As families spend more time at shopping centres these school holidays, Schindler is reinforcing five simple safety habits, with a focus on foot placement:

1. Hold hands and stand still. Face forward, stay in the middle of the step, and avoid the sides.
2. Step on and off carefully: encourage children to watch their feet at the top and bottom of the escalator.
3. Keep shoes, clothing and shoelaces, especially soft or flexible footwear, away from the sides and moving parts.
4. Don’t play with the handrail or lift doors including not entering or exiting a lift while doors are closing.
5. Know the location of the emergency stop. If something becomes caught, stay calm, use the emergency stop button and call for assistance rather than pulling.

To help parents turn these habits into fun, age-appropriate conversations with their kids, Schindler has developed a free series of Ellie & Esky educational resources, including colouring-in sheets, a school holiday activity book and a safety pledge certificate, available now at Schindler’s Ellie and Eski Learning Hub.

About us:

About Schindler
Schindler is a leading global provider of elevators, escalators and moving walkways, helping to move more than two billion people around the world every day. In Australia, Schindler is committed to supporting communities through practical safety education, including its Ellie & Esky child safety program, designed to help families build safe, confident habits around escalators and lifts. 

Contact details:

For further information or to speak with a Schindler Spokesperson, Breanna Sada, contact:

Kasey Simpson (Senior PR Consultant at Agent99) on [email protected] / 0401 931 577