With kids running up and down the stairs and elderly grandparents coming and going from your home, can you afford not to make sure your staircase safer?
Your family home is a busy place. You have the kids running in and out, you have you and your partner co-existing, then you have guests, friends of the family, and the occasional visit from grandparents. If you don’t have safe staircases, your family could run into a nasty accident. Whether indoor or outdoor, here are things to consider when trying to family-proof your home.
How do you Make your Staircase Safer?
There are multiple ways to improve the safety of your home staircases. Let’s discuss options for upgrading the quality of your stairs and making your home more secure as a result.
Install Handrails
The first hot tip is that you can install a handrail anywhere you have a staircase installed. You can use these both internally and externally and for residential or commercial properties. When installing these at home, experts recommend that you install modular handrails instead of one long railing. The modular part means you install this type of handrail in sections. If something breaks, wears down due to severe weather, or the kids ruin it, you can take out and replace the section instead of the whole thing. As you can imagine, this saves on costs while still providing the staircase support you need.
Consider Reflective Strips
Reflective strips along any staircase will help you see, even in the lowest lighting conditions. If you don’t have space for any other lighting type, using these high-visibility strips of reflective material can really make each step stand out. Apply the strips either on each step or running horizontally alongside the stairs on either side. Whichever way you choose, your new reflective strips will help you better see in the dark.
Think About Grip
There is a double benefit to using reflective strips to highlight your stairs and that is the grip it can provide. There are specially made reflective strips with a sticky backing that you can attach to any
uncarpeted stairways. These strips offer extra grip, particularly in the wet, to your steps. Ideal for internal and external use, you will soon become used to the feel.
Add New Lighting
Adding a fresh set of lighting to a dull or dark staircase can make all the difference to your and your
family’s safety. Try a brighter bulb, a lighter-colored shade, or even adding further wiring for a
second hanging light. If you don’t want to add wiring, installing push lights as emergency lighting is a
great idea. You could even line the stairs with strip lighting so you can see all the way down at all
times.
Did you make your staircase safer?
If you followed all of the advice in this article, your stairs ought to be safer. Now that you have a safe
staircase, you can invite as many guests over as you please – young or old, infirm or mobile – to enjoy them with you.
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Meredith says
Ah, the stairs. Fun times.
I remember the first time my daughter rolled down the stairs; what a horrifying sound! (She was fine & children ARE pretty bendy.)
After a couples massage one day, my other half slipped near the top and slid on his butt all the way down. (He was fine, which made it hilarious because he cited “soft soles from the massage” as his downfall.)
Me? Well, I tend to miss a step near the bottom or think I’m on the last step when, in fact, I’m not. (End result? Not so favorable in my cases, but nothing really horrible either.)
Meredith says
“Soft soles” Hahaaaa! Dying 😉 I am always scared of the stairs! Especially if I am carrying something and can’t see in front of me. Godspeed, mama!