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Parenting

Do you take your pushchair on the escalators??

56 replies

Fcukfifa · 29/04/2014 20:49

As above!

I did it once on the escalators in our hotel on holiday, the wheel jammed at the top and I nearly went arse over tit over the pram.

My partner does it if we go shopping whilst I stand behind cringing.

Seen lots of people doing it, so was just wondering about the vast majority on here??

Am I the only un-coordinated dick head who can't be trusted on escalators?!

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gamerchick · 01/05/2014 22:46

would you be strong if you're coming down one and the person behind you falls down the escalator?

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SaltyGoodness · 01/05/2014 22:51

No, but neither would I be if someone crashed into the back of my car. Luckily both these events are highly unlikely.

The risk you are afraid of is a small one. I've never seen it happen, although I've seen plenty of car accidents. That doesn't mean I never put my child in a car. It also means I'm confident in my judgement to take the pram on an escalator if necessary.

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Jojay · 01/05/2014 22:53

No way.

I worked in a department store and saw too many accidents over the years, not to mention one which caused several thousands of pounds worth of damage to the escalator.

But I've never been anywhere where a lift wasn't an option. Not sure what I'd do in that case, esp when my twins were tiny, so carrying not an option.

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SuiGeneris · 01/05/2014 22:59

Yes, I do. If I didn't I'd be stuck in our area as none of the Tube stations near us have a lift. I take lifts when available. DH doesn't, I might show him this thread, though fortunately we only have a few months left with a pushchair I think.

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ILoveGlyfada · 01/05/2014 22:59

I was forced to do it at Luton Airport once as there was no alternative. Hope I never have to do it again because I find it quite unsafe.

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usualsuspectt · 01/05/2014 23:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SecretRed · 01/05/2014 23:12

I did with my first two children. Then a couple of years ago I was travelling down on an escalator with 8 yo dd when the couple in front if us got their pram stuck at the very bottom. The panic I felt as we approached them knowing that there was nowhere to go was awful and luckily they moved just in time. I always take my toddlers buggy in the lift now as that scared the bejesus out of me.

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Boomerwang · 02/05/2014 00:09

Yes I've done it as there's no lift in my local clothing store (yes, that's ONE clothing store in the whole area, and also the only one that sells baby clothes) and I hate it every time. The staff say they will help if I ask, but I don't see how they can be immune to a possible accident although I accept they probably have a fair amount of experience. They are silly to offer, in fact, because they'd be liable if anything bad were to happen.

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mummratheevertired · 02/05/2014 00:53

Yes I do, a lot. I live in london thought so sometimes there is no other way. I have even been up an escalator which had a sign up saying 'no pushchairs, especially not Bugaboo Bees' (Brent Cross) I had a Bugaboo Bee. I am wreckless!

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mummratheevertired · 02/05/2014 00:56

Just read through the thread. Will still have to do it from time to time but will have to be more aware and careful. (I was always careful probably just not as much as I should have been)

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Grotbagstwin · 02/05/2014 01:02

No I don't.

A friend of ours lost her grip/balance when coming down one and thr stroller actually flipped as it went down hurting someone else, luckily toddler escaped with bruising.
It made the local paper to warn people not to do it including a pic of our friend with a sad face.

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SaltyGoodness · 02/05/2014 03:25

I think it's one of those parenting things that you can do - but only if you're switched on and wide awake IYSWIM... there's quite a lot we do, as a parent, on autopilot when sleep deprived and exhausted and this should not be one of them. You have to be 100% present and that's an attitude I've taken with anything involving a slope since tripping on the stairs at work (in high heels... Those were the days) and breaking my foot ten years ago. It changed how I think. And I suspect a lot of the accidents we're talking about here are far more attributable to tiredness/inattention than anything else.

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Fcukfifa · 02/05/2014 09:25

Saltygoodness, wish I could blame being sleep deprived tired when the front wheels got caught at the top but nope, I was all refreshed on holiday. I'm just an uncoordinated, clumsy tool!

Dh though is a cool as a cucumber, annoyingly good at everything kind of person so is happy to do it.

Just remembered when I young I tripped at the top of the escalators and my fingers nearly got trapped, maybe I should just stay away from them!

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Fcukfifa · 02/05/2014 09:27

I am however, very tired this morning and can't seem to form a coherent post Grin

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BobPatandIgglePiggle · 02/05/2014 09:38

I did it once and will never do it again.

Ds was tiny and still in the car seat clip on so the pram was really heavy. Stepped on, dragged the buggy behind me and began a ride of terror

I only just managed to cling on to the buggy and was shaking by the time we got to the top.

Never again

Dp does though, with annoying ease

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RiverTam · 02/05/2014 09:40

if there is no other way, yes, I have done a few times. Going down is easier than going up!

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ShelaghTurner · 02/05/2014 09:41

Depends on the pushchair. I have done it easily with a Techno and a Bee. When I tried it with an iCandy Apple I got stuck (I know, I'm stupid!) and I have a BJCM GT at the moment and wouldn't do it with that. I know that you're not supposed to but waiting for lifts sometimes is soul destroying.

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Trapper · 02/05/2014 09:44

I have, and do. On the tube, mainly. There are no other options at a number of stations.
I have intervened a couple of times when tourists have been about to take a pushchair on facing forwards on an 'up' escalator, and stopped an escalator once when a lady with a toddler (walking) and baby (pushchair) got into difficulty just after getting on.
First time is scary, but you soon get used to it.

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Trapper · 02/05/2014 09:46

Oh - mine is a Phil&Ted containing 2DS(2&3).

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flipflopsonfifthavenue · 02/05/2014 09:58

wow, I must be the worst mum! I always go by escalator, but then again I live in London and it would be very hard to get around if I could only use lifts on the tube. Going up I lift buggy up so it's on its front wheels and the buggy is in level sitting position, going down I push down on the handles onto back wheels so it's level again. DS is always strapped in so I don't worry about him falling out, and there is usually plenty of room at the top and bottom to get full control before coming off the escalator.

I thought everyone did this...??!! this thread is a revelation. I do it with my bugaboo bee and Maclaren.

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Sparklingbrook · 02/05/2014 10:05

In my local M&S (I think it was) there are silver bollard things that only allow people sized things through to the escalator.

Seems sensible.

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Boomerwang · 02/05/2014 10:36

Sparkling, do they at least have a lift in that M&S? They are pretty good I think I've found a lift in all the ones I've been in.

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Sparklingbrook · 02/05/2014 10:37

Oh yes, they have a lift. I wondered if there had been a buggy/pram incident in that particular store for them to do it IYKWIM.

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ShelaghTurner · 02/05/2014 10:48

Our m&s lift is always out of service. You have to find a staff member to take you in the trade lift. It's a pain in the arse and the reason I attempted to take my Apple on the escalator in there

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littleducks · 02/05/2014 10:50

Yes. Have done for years. But then I use the tube a lot and am generally traveling alone. I like usinga skiing but sometimes needa buggy. I think being a regular tube user normalises it.

I know they don't like it at Brent Cross, I think something happened with a Bugaboo bee as the wheels are soft and the signs and tannoy announcements specifically mention this.

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