Introduction

Elevators are one of the most taken-for-granted technologies in modern life. We step in, press a button, scroll our phones, and assume everything will be fine. But beneath that smooth Ride is a system that—if neglected—can be dangerous.

In many buildings, elevators are not serviced as often as they should be. Worn cables, electrical malfunctions, or outdated inspections can all become real risks. Thankfully, you don’t need to be an engineer to stay safe—you need to know what to look for.

Here are five bright, real-world signs to check before stepping into any elevator.

1. Door Movement Tells You a Lot

Start with the basics: how do the doors behave?

Safe elevator: doors open/close quietly, evenly, and respond quickly to button presses.
Unsafe signs: delays, visible door gaps, scraping sounds, or repeated opening/closing.

A faulty door mechanism is often a surface-level sign of more profound mechanical neglect.

2. Check the Buttons & Floor Display

This is often ignored, but critical.

An elevator with dead buttons, flickering lights, or a glitchy floor indicator is likely experiencing internal electrical issues. That’s more than just annoying—it could mean the failure of critical systems, such as braking or emergency response.

Make sure the emergency button works (even just lighting up). If not, skip that lift.

3. Please pay Attention to the Ride Itself

Close your eyes and feel the elevator move.

Is it smooth from start to stop?
Does it shake slightly, pause for no reason, or feel like it “drops” at the end?

These are often signs of worn suspension components or poor calibration. A well-maintained elevator should feel stable, silent, and effortless.

Pro Tip: Slight noise is normal. Grinding, jerking, or bouncing is not.

4. Look for the Inspection Certificate — and Understand It

Most people don’t even know what that sticker or certificate near the ceiling is. But it’s your #1 clue.

Every legally maintained elevator should have a visible inspection tag showing:

Date of last inspection
Expiration or renewal deadline
Name of the certifying body or technician

But what if the certificate is missing? Or too faded to read? Or does the date look off?

Here’s a full breakdown of how to understand elevator inspection tags, including sample images, breakdowns, and what sure signs mean:

This Sign Shows When a Lift Is Safe to Use

This guide covers exactly where to find the tag, what it should include, and how to spot outdated or fake ones.

5. Is There Emergency Info or a Maintenance Record Posted?

Some modern elevators display service history (usually inside a small plastic window) or a hotline sticker. If there’s no visible contact information or maintenance log, that’s often a sign that the building doesn’t take elevator care seriously.

You should see:

Emergency service number
Last service month/year
Contact info for building or elevator support

If nothing is posted and something feels off, don’t ride. Report it if possible.

Final Thoughts: A 10-Second Habit That Could Protect You

Elevator accidents are rare, but they do happen. And when they do, it’s almost always due to preventable issues.

Taking 10 seconds to check these five signs could prevent hours of being stuck, or something far worse.

Start paying Attention. You’ll not only protect yourself, but you might spot something that protects others, too.

Learn more about the one sign that matters most here: