Making the Stairs and Staircase in Your Home Safer

The statistics on falls are sobering: 28 percent of traumatic brain injuries are caused from falls; in 2001, 121 kids under the age of 14 died from falls; over 80 percent of falls by toddlers occur in the home; 16,000 older adults died from falls in 2005. Granted, not all recorded falls are on stairs but many are. Toddlers love to climb and if stairs are there, up they go. Kids have no concept of danger and once up, they often don’t know how to get down. At the other end of the spectrum, older adults may not be as steady as they once were and one misstep can send them tumbling.

Steps and stairs are in every home. Even a one story ranch type house has one or two steps at entry ways. Being pro-active is the best way to prevent accidents on stairs.

Railings: Be certain hand rails are installed, preferably one on each side of the stairway. Check for proper height for those using the stairs. Children will need rails at a lower height, 24 inches above the step, than adults, 32 to 36 inches. It’s easy to add a second smaller rail below the first. Check railing frequently to be sure they remain secure.

Gates: When toddlers or small children are in the home, keep a secure gate at the bottom of interior stairways and one at the top if little ones are using those rooms. Always keep the gate latched. Leaving it open even when kids are not around sets the stage for forgetting it when they are home.

Lighting: Be sure stairways are well lit. Lights at the top and bottom of stairs are essential. If light fixtures are not already installed, use a quick fix such as Westinghouse�® Wireless Stick-Up Bulbs that just stick on the wall and operate on batteries.

Obstacles: Keep stairways free of clutter. It’s a common occurrence to put things on the stairs that we plan to carry up later but too often we don’t do it. We forget, someone goes up or down and stuff is in the way, creating an obstacle to safe climbing.

Stair coverings: Check carpet for shredding and loose threads. Avoid using rugs that fit each step. They look good but are a tripping hazard. If you want covering on stairs, use tacked down carpeting or a carpet rug fastened securely with stair rods that screw into each stair. Rubber stair treads aren’t pretty but they help shoes to grip.

Throw rugs: Throw rugs at the top or bottom of stairs can easily slide out from under foot and cause a fall. Don’t use them.

Shiny stairs: Wood floors look fantastic when they gleam with wax but keep it off stair treads. Painted stairs are another slick surface. Add an anti-slip additive to the paint.

Bottom step: The very last stair tread is often the one we miss, simply because we don’t see it. Painting the bottom step white will help you to be aware that it’s there.

Outside: Keep outside stairs clear of debris and toys. In winter, clear snow from steps and use salt or a chemical compound to remove ice.

Do a safety check of the stairways in your house and tend to the unsafe issues. Be pro-active and be safe.

Sources:
http://www.usa.safekids.org/index.cfm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/TBI.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080623/hl_nm/falls_usa_dc