The invention discloses an escalator safety detection device and method. The method includes the steps of obtaining a sampled image showing that no one is on an escalator, a sampled image showing that one person is on the escalator and real-time sampled images of the escalator through an infrared sensor and a camera, detecting the background temperature when no one is on the escalator, calculating the temperature rise of one person relative to the background temperature of the escalator through an image and infrared processing controller according to the showing that one person is on the escalator, and judging whether a passenger is held up or gets stuck or falls on the escalator or not according to the real-time sampled images of the escalator, the sampled image showing that no one is on the escalator and the rise of one person relative to the background temperature of the escalator. According to the escalator safety detection device and method, information is collected through the infrared sensor and the camera, the image and infrared processing controller judges whether the abnormal condition happens to the escalator or not according to the collected information, corresponding processing is conducted according to the judgment result, accidents can not be extended, and safety of passengers on the escalator is ensured; meanwhile, by combining image processing with infrared matrix sampling, detection accuracy is improved, and the escalator safety detection device and method are suitable for application.