The rule to remember.
Hold hands. Stand back. Keep fingers off the doors.
Opening doors have a different hazard.
A sliding door moves alongside another panel or into the area beside the entrance. A hand resting on its surface can be carried towards a narrow gap as it opens.
This can happen with glass or steel doors. Glass doors may attract children who want to look through them, but a clear view through the panel does not make it a safe place to put a hand.
Door sensors are not protection against every gap.
Devices that detect an obstruction in the entrance during closing do not necessarily protect the spaces beside panels during opening. Do not assume the doors will stop because a small hand is touching them.
Different installations have different protective arrangements. Close supervision remains important even when a lift has modern door detectors.
Make a simple routine for each journey.
- Keep young children beside you and hold their hand as you approach.
- Stand clear while the doors open; wait until they are fully open before entering.
- Enter together and move away from the door panels.
- Keep hands, clothing, toy straps and reins clear throughout the journey.
- At the destination, wait for the doors to open fully and leave together.
If you need more time, use the door-open button or ask someone inside to operate it. Never teach a child to stop the doors with a hand, foot or toy.
Give children a clear, calm message.
Try: “Hands with me, away from the doors. We wait, then walk through together.” A short routine is easier to remember than expecting a young child to judge which gaps are dangerous.
Keep toys away from the moving panels too. For children using reins, keep the adult, child and full length of the reins on the same side of the doorway. Read our guidance on leads and children’s reins.
If a hand or clothing becomes caught.
Raise the alarm immediately. If a child is trapped or there is a serious injury, call 999 and explain the location and what is caught. Alert building staff and the lift’s emergency response contact.
Do not force the door mechanism, insert tools or repeatedly operate controls in an attempt to free the obstruction. Avoid pulling forcefully on a trapped hand. Follow instructions from the emergency services and qualified rescuers.
Help families notice the risk.
Place a clear reminder near the entrance, particularly where glass doors attract children’s attention. Report rough door movement, damage or an incident to the maintenance provider.
A notice supports safe use but does not replace maintenance or a suitable assessment of door protection. Do not test a gap or detector with anyone’s fingers.