The Department of Buildings is launching National Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week with an educational program for first and second graders from P.S. 124 in Chinatown.

There are 60,000 elevators in the five boroughs and 2,200 escalators.

Buildings inspectors say they want to make sure everyone, especially children, know how to stay safe and what to do during an emergency.

"Sometimes they have problems and you might wind up stuck, so you want them to ring the alarm bell, relax, and wait for help," said elevator inspection supervisor Louis Rodriguez. "You don't want them to play with the doors. You want them to ring the alarm bell, relax and wait."

The city is also reminding people make sure their shoelaces are tied when they get on an escalator, and hold onto the railing.

Since 2004, more than 100 children have been injured in by an elevator or escalator in New York City.