John W said most people who really should not use the escalator are often too embarrassed to ask where the elevators are or simply can't find someone nearby to ask. He also said that young children often do not understand that escalators can be dangerous. Wise parents do not let their children play on them. I have watched unaccompanied kids ride up and down hotel and airport escalators in never-ending circles, as if they were an amusement ride. Their parents would not be so amused, if they were more aware of the potential hazards of escalator play.
Escalators can shudder, bounce, trap and mangle kids.
For example, in Orlando, an eight-year old girl lost her toes on an airport escalator. In another accident, a St Petersburg, a mother saw her five-year old daughter dragged down the escalator with her sneaker stuck in the narrow gap between the moving step and the stationary sidewall. Her right bit toe was ripped off. Staff members should be trained to discourage kids using escalators to ply. That's a ticket to accidents and lawsuits.