Escalators provide people young and old easy and usually safe travel up and down floors in large facilities like shopping malls and airports, but they can also be a potential safety threat if not maintained and used properly. Escalators can be especially dangerous for young children as well as older adults, and it is important to assist them while on an escalator and be aware of their actions while riding. Here are a few tips to staying safe when riding on escalators: When boarding an escalator: * Take note of the direction that the steps are moving and make sure that you get on and off with care * Make sure that you are careful if when wearing bifocals of glasses as they may give a false image of where the step is. * Secure children firmly by either holding their arm or their hand.