Pleads of Increased Airport Safety From Recent Conveyor Belt Death

Airports can be a pretty scary place to begin with. Everyone is either in a rush or in your way preventing you from being in a rush. There are people who have never flown before so they want to make sure they're doing it right, holding up the check-in line. You see people sprinting to their gate in hopes they don't miss their flight. I've been there and it's no fun.

With everything going on at an airport, there's always risk for injury in every aspect.

With the recent story of a person getting caught up in a conveyor belt causing a tragic death in Chicago, International Drivers Association has issued a few helpful tips on making sure you stay as safe as possible at any airport, especially those here in Washington State like Sea-Tac, PSC in Tri-Cities, and even YKM right here in Yakima.

Airport Safety Tips

Make sure your clothes are fit. No loose shoelaces, no dangling ties, nothing that could get caught on a conveyor belt or escalator or even when you're grabbing your baggage from baggage claim.

Around baggage claim, give yourself plenty of room around you. I know it's super annoying when everyone crowds the belt so they can grab their bag immediately and get on their way, but that's what we all want to do and there's never enough room for everyone to do that at the same time. Mind your surroundings and if you don't feel steady on your feet or can excuse yourself through a crowd of shoulders to get your bags, they'll stay on the belt and come through again. It's okay to wait until all the jerks who crowd the belt up front leave.

Even your bag, itself, can be a hazard if it's unbalanced or missing a wheel or has a wheel that doesn't quite want to turn properly.

It's easy to suffer from finger injuries as well trying to get your bag off the belt. If needed, asking for someone steadfast to help. I've never had or have seen an instance where someone didn't help who could. Not saying it never has, but not from what I've seen.

"Every traveler holds a measure of responsibility for their safety and that of others around them. Awareness and respect for the mechanical operations at airports significantly help in reducing risks."
~Julianna Marshall: Travel Expert from International Drivers Association

Find more safety tips from the International Drivers Association.