As the "face" of a city's underground pipe network, missing or damaged manhole cover not only affect the urban appearance but also lead to safety accidents such as pedestrian falls and vehicle damage. Statistics reveal that over 1,000 accidents occur each year due to manhole cover issues. Therefore, it is necessary to develop systematic solutions from multiple dimensions to strengthen the city's safety defense line.​

First, strengthening the daily inspection and maintenance mechanism is the foundation. The municipal department can divide management areas according to the standard of "one inspector per grid", and list high-risk areas such as old residential communities, school surroundings, and construction sections as key inspection targets. Comprehensive inspections should be carried out at least twice a week, with increased frequency after rainy seasons or extreme weather. At the same time, an "electronic file for manhole covers" should be established, where each manhole cover is linked via a QR code. Scanning the code allows access to information such as installation time, material, affiliated unit, and maintenance records. Once damage or loss is detected, inspectors upload the problem to the management system through intelligent terminals, and the system automatically assigns the task to the responsible unit, requiring maintenance personnel to arrive and handle the issue within 24 hours. At night, reflective warning signs and protective enclosures must be set up first to minimize the risk of nighttime accidents.​

Second, upgrading manhole cover materials and design can reduce risks at the source. Traditional cast-iron manhole covers are susceptible to theft and corrosion and should be replaced. For main roads, it is recommended to use ductile iron manhole covers with a compressive strength of up to 360 kN. For sidewalks, green belts, and other areas, lightweight and durable composite resin manhole covers are more appropriate. Additionally, the implementation of an "anti-fall design" is essential: a metal protective net with a diameter of at least 60 centimeters or an elastic support ring should be installed beneath the manhole cover. Even if the manhole cover is accidentally missing, the protective facilities can bear the weight of an adult and prevent pedestrians from falling. For example, cities like Beijing and Shanghai have piloted this design on key road sections, and the number of related fall accidents has decreased by more than 70% in the past three years.​

Third, clarifying responsibility ownership and coordination mechanisms can avoid buck-passing. Urban manhole covers are managed by more than a dozen departments, including municipal administration, water supply, gas, and electric power. Local legislation is needed to clarify the management responsibilities of each department. For issues related to manhole covers that span multiple regions or departments, a "first-receiver unit responsibility system" should be established. Additionally, a "coordinated disposal platform for manhole cover issues" should be created. This platform would allow citizens to report problems easily through government apps or WeChat mini-programs. Utilizing GPS positioning, the platform will automatically identify the responsible department. After the issue has been addressed, maintenance photos must be uploaded for citizens to verify, ensuring a closed-loop management process of "reporting - disposal - feedback."

Finally, strengthening public publicity and supervision guidance can pool joint efforts. Publicize manhole cover safety knowledge through community bulletin boards, short video platforms, and campus safety education courses, and create graphic guides on "how to report problems when found". Meanwhile, establish a "manhole cover safety supervision reward mechanism" – after verifying valid clues reported by citizens, rewards such as phone bills or shopping vouchers can be given. In addition, increase the criminal penalty for theft or intentional damage to manhole cover, and publicize typical cases to form a strong deterrent, reducing man-made damage from the social level and jointly safeguarding the "safety underfoot" of the city.​