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閱讀理解
Escalators(自動扶梯)have long been a safety worry for children．New research shows the escalator is increasingly a danger to the elderly as well．
According to a report published this month in the public health journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, nearly 40 000 older adults were injured on escalators from 1991 to 2005．The average age of the injured was 80, and three out of four of the injured were women．The risk of escalator accidents among the elderly was about eight injuries per 100 000 people．Although most accidents were not deadly serious, about 3 000 people were taken to the emergency room．
Many of the accidents were the result of careless behavior by elderly escalator riders．One older rider fell because he tried to squeeze(硬擠)past a wheelchair user and his nurse, who shouldn't have been using the escalator in the first place．
“What really surprised us was the careless behavior of some older adults on escalators,” said the researcher Dr．Steele．“Obviously, the wheelchair should not have been on the moving stairs．And of course, the injured old man should not have attempted to force them down the stairs．”
Older adults who have difficulty walking or keeping balance should use elevators rather than escalators, the study authors warn．And when elderly people do ride escalators, they should use extra care when stepping on or off the moving steps．
“They should not try to walk up or down a moving escalator, carry large objects, or wear loose shoes or clothing while riding, since these appear to be associated with an increased risk of falling,” said the co-researcher Dr．O'Neil．“Injury should be viewed as a ‘medical illness’ alongside heart disease．We have to stop thinking of unexpected injuries as accidents．Escalator injuries, like auto crashes and many other so-called accidents, can be prevented．”
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