Elevator Hazard: Home Elevators Recalled Over Injury, Death Risks To Children

Otis Elevator Company is recalling about 5,000 private elevators installed in private homes following several reports of serious injuries among children in relation to the use of their product. Customers who may have the affected products in their homes may call the company for a free inspection and repair, if necessary.

According to the recall notice posted on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website, there have been "at least four incidents" related to an Otis or CemcoLift private residence elevator that resulted in serious injuries, including "crushed spine and abdomen, fractured hip, broken arm and feet, and bruising to the face and chest."

"Children can become entrapped in the space between the exterior landing (hoistway) door and the interior elevator car door or gate, and suffer serious injuries or death when the elevator is called to another floor," the CPSC explained.

The images shared by CPSC in a tweet illustrate how children can end up getting trapped and possibly injured.

The recall affects Otis private residence elevators that were sold before 2012 and CemcoLift private residence elevators sold from 1999 to 2012. As the recall notice explained, CemcoLift is a former subsidiary of Otis Elevator Company.

Customers whose Otis or CemcoLift home elevators may possibly be affected by the recall are being advised to disable their home elevators or prevent children from accessing the unit until it has been inspected. They can call Otis at 800-233-6847 for more information or arrange for a free inspection.

"Where appropriate, Otis will offer to install a free space guard to mitigate the excessive space hazard," Otis said in a statement.

According to the company, it has not "sold or installed elevators in private residences since 2012," but the recall is a part of its on-going efforts to educate residential elevator customers about the possible hazards that can happen because of the "excessive space gap" between the doors.

"These new measures are the latest in a series of efforts Otis has taken over the past 15 years to educate residential elevator customers about potential hazards and provide no-cost solutions," Otis said. "Prior initiatives implemented by Otis include advocating for code changes and increased code enforcement across the country, providing support for training courses sponsored by the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, retrofitting impacted elevators at Otis' cost, and raising awareness through media."