Safety First: Top Tips for Staying Safe on Your Staircase
Staircases are one of the most common sights in homes across the UK, but did you also know that they can be one of the most hazardous? Trips and falls on staircases can lead to serious injury or much worse, so it’s vital that we’re all aware of staircase best practices. No matter if you’re living with children, elderly folks, or anyone else, here are some top staircase tips that everyone should know.
Top #1: Ensure your staircase is well-lit
Many of the slips and falls that happen on staircases occur at times when the lights are either dimmed or off altogether. The reason is simple: people can sometimes rush up the stairs, and without proper lighting, can easily slip and hurt themselves quite badly. A well-lit staircase will make it much easier to guarantee sure-footing, whether you’re going up or down the stairs. If you can’t install any mains lighting around your staircase, you can even use low-cost stick-on sensor-lights which can lead the way up and down the stairs.
Tip #2: Install adequate slip-resistance
Another issue that can easily led to injury on the staircase is the lack of appropriate friction between the staircase itself and the covering. For example, if you’re using a stair runner on a smooth-surfaced staircase, slipping can easily occur. The solution is the quick and easy installation of stair runner underlay. This creates a layer of friction between the runner and the stair, ensuring it stays firmly in place as you use your staircase day to day.
Tip #3: Use handrails or bannisters when necessary
Not all staircases come complete with a set of bannisters, which again can lead to trips or falls – especially amongst children. The solution to this is to ensure that you install either a set of bannisters or handrails at any point of the staircase which edges against a clear space which could be fallen through. In addition, if you have anyone in your household with visual impairment, it’s a good idea to make these bannisters or handrails contrast against the surroundings so they’re easy to see.
Now that you’re all up-to-date when it comes to staircase safety, don’t forget to explore our range of UK stair runners. Available in a wide range of colours, styles, and designs, they’re a fantastic way to make your staircase stand out. Have a question? Call the team now on 0845 838 8638.
