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Escalator safety
One of the most common injuries at SEA Airport are people falling on escalators. It happens once a day on average, and one to two people a week are transported to a local hospital. Ouch. Please be careful; we don't want this to happen to you.
Not-so-fun fact: When a person receives medical care for an escalator fall, state law requires that the escalator must be shut down until it can be inspected by Washington State Labor and Industries. That can take escalators out of service for multiple days or even weeks at a time.
When people fall on escalators, it’s usually because of these common causes:
- Taking heavy bags and/or carts on the escalator – they can shift or fall unexpectedly and land on you or the people behind you
- Pet paws getting caught or injured on the grates and steps
- Soft sided shoes getting stuck on steps
- Multi-tasking and not paying attention
- Children playing on escalators
Good advice to play it safe:
- Stand in the middle of the step and face forward – those brushes on the sides of the escalator are NOT to clean your shoes. Stand clear of the sides
- Keep loose clothing clear of steps and sides
- Step quickly on and off the escalator and move away from the area to give those behind you more room
- Step over the comb fingers; don’t let your feet slide off the end of the escalator.
- Hold on to your luggage to keep it from falling and moving
- Don’t pack in too tight — allow space between the person ahead and behind you
- Use the elevator if you feel tired or unsure about your balance
- Hold the handrail
- Hold children firmly with one arm or hold the child’s free hand.
- If an accident occurs, push one of the nearby “stop” buttons to halt the machine and alert SEA staff
Here's a handy guide on how to ride the escalator from WikiHOW
Elevator safety
Common injuries on the elevator are tripping, getting your clothing tangled in the elevator door, being hit by closing elevator doors, or falling.
- Never use your hands or an object to keep the door from opening
- Don’t overcrowd the elevators
- Mind the gap — step over the gap between the door and the floor
- Keep clothes and baggage away from the door opening
- Hold the hand rail
Train safety
- Don’t run for the train — the next train will be along very quickly
- Don't stand too close to the arriving train on the platform
- Don’t use hands, legs (or any other body parts) to stop the doors from closing
- Steady yourself on the moving train by sitting down or holding onto the safety straps or poles
- See Something, Say Something. If you see something dangerous, let somebody know. Go to the Information Desk or tell a Pathfinder in bright green.
Bag safety
- Don’t leave items unattended
- Bags look alike, make yours identifiable
- Do NOT pack expensive items in checked luggage
- Be at the baggage claim carousel when your bags arrive after a flight
- Report any stolen items to police
- Report anything that looks out of place
Parking garage safety
- Avoid car prowls by locking your car
- Do NOT leave valuables in sight
- When possible, park near your destination in well lit areas
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Call 911 if you see any suspicious activity
Winter safety
- Pay attention on the drives. Rain or snow and cold temperatures could make sidewalks icy, even after they have been shoveled
- If you’re taking a bus to your plane (groundboarding) or from airport or rental car shuttles, be careful when you step off the bus. The cooler ground could be icy or slick
Firearm safety
- You can travel with firearms – if they are packed properly in checked luggage
- Do NOT bring firearms or other unauthorized items through security checkpoint
- Each airline, and the TSA, has directions on how to pack firearms, check with your airlines and TSA
- In general firearms must be UNLOADED, packed in locked, hard-sided containers in checked baggage
- All firearms must be declared to the airline during check-in
SEA Cares
To maintain safety in the terminal and compassionately connect those in crisis to local services, the airport created a multi-faceted program called the SEA Cares initiative to help address an increase in unhoused persons seeking shelter within the airport and an increase in the number of people experiencing severe mental crisis.
