Get On and Off an Escalator

Getting on and off an escalator is simple for most people. However, some people are scared of riding an escalator because of a previous bad experience, stories they may have heard, warning signs or just because escalators are big and make a lot of noise. This article will teach you how to correctly get on and off an escalator safely.

Steps

 * 1)  Identify the escalator you are planning to embark on. Use building maps and floor plans to make sure it is the correct one. If these are unavailable, you will have to guess, but make sure you have a plan to get back should you have gotten on the wrong one.
 * 2)  Walk up to the escalator and think about what you are going to do. It is important to time things just right, or you may fall and injure yourself. Face the moving steps and concentrate. It is advised to ask a few friends to hold up the people behind you if you plan to take anymore than a few seconds doing this. This way it is less likely someone will bump into you and break your concentration.
 * 3)  Begin walking onto the moving steps. Grasp the moving railing as you step forward. If this is performed correctly, you should end up standing on the escalator holding the railing.
 * 4)  Stand on the right-hand side of the escalator if you do not plan to walk, as people who are walking will be walking on the left side.
 * 5)  To get off of the escalator, let go of the handrail and step onto the metal at the end.

Tips

 * It is a good idea to practice this at low traffic locations first.
 * Always do this with a friend while you are still learning.

Warnings

 * If you truly feel uncomfortable with this, take the stairs or elevator as it is possible to injure yourself if you fall.
 * If you are wearing soft shoes such as Crocs or flip-flops, exercise extra caution as you can get your toes caught in the cracks between steps.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Stop Escalators in an Emergency