What to do if you’re lift breaks

The idea of being trapped in a confined space like a lift is a universally terrifying prospect, especially if you’re suspended above multiple floors. Luckily, with advances in technology, the chances of a lift getting stuck these days are pretty slim and, if they do, they have a variety of security functions to keep you safe until help arrives.

However, if you do find yourself stuck in this scary situation and you’re not sure what to do, there are a few things to keep in mind both to keep you safe and to ensure help arrives as soon as possible.

Step 1: Don’t panic!

This is, of course, easier said than done. Being stuck in a small space can be a person’s worst nightmare, however, it is really important to stay as calm as possible, especially if you’re trapped with other people as if an accident occurs, you may be without medical aid for some time. Take some time to breathe deeply and, if needed, find a light source such as a phone torch so you can see what you’re doing. Most importantly, remember you’re safe; lifts will have been designed with these situations in mind and are very reliable pieces of machinery.

Step 2: Find the call button

Now that you’ve calmed down and assessed the situation, it is important to press the call button. All lifts have some form of call button with a phone symbol and are located on the floor button panel. By pressing and holding the call button, you will be put through to a technician who can begin the process of getting you out.

If no one answers, however, bang on the door or use your phone to get in touch with an emergency service or someone who can effectively pass on the message in the building.

Step 3: Wait it out

Unfortunately, it can take a fair amount of time to get people out of a broken-down lift. With this in mind, it’s important to keep yourself busy and entertained. Read a book, spend time scrolling through Instagram or maybe post a quick selfie with the tag ‘#Liftlife’.

Don’t try to pry the doors open

What you should never do when it comes to being stuck in a lift is try to escape the lift yourself. In prying the doors open and trying to exit, you could be putting yourself in extreme danger if the lift began moving again. There have been horror stories of people being caught between floors or the doors closing on people so don’t take the risk.

Keep your lifts running smoothly with ADL Lift Services

When it comes to the lifts in your building, prevention is the best solution to minimise the chance of stalls. At ADL Lift Services, we have been supplying, installing and maintaining lifts throughout the UK and we have over 100 years of experience in the industry. Our 24/7 lift repair service means we’re on hand for any problems you might face and, with our lift modernisation techniques, you can give your elevator an upgrade.

For more information on our range of services, visit our website or get in touch with one of our branches.