Whether you have elderly parents or young kids in the house, or you tend to be a little clumsy yourself, it is always a good idea to improve stairway safety.

Here are our top 5 stairway safety tips –

  1. Keep stairs free from clutter – This may seem obvious but we’re all guilty of leaving a few items on the stairs to “bring up later”. We suggest you place a basket at the bottom of the stairs to keep stairs clear and make it easier to carry on your next trip up.
  2. Fill in backs of floating steps – having an open step increases your chances of tripping, especially on the way up. Unless you are set on the aesthetic of floating steps, adding a back is typically an easy modification to make.
  3. Put railings on both sides- they can help you brace yourself and stay balanced, on the way up and the way down.
  4. Put guard gates at the top and bottom – if you have little children, a child-proof gate is the best way to keep them safe. It can also give you peace of mind that you don’t need to keep your eye on them every second.
  5. Add a runner or non-slip mats – if you find your stairs to be slippery, due to the material or finish, a runner can help. You just want to make sure it is installed properly because a loose or mobile runner can create an additional tripping hazard.

Additionally, if you find you keep having issues with your steps, you may want to make sure they are up to code.  This means, not only are they properly secured, but that they have the correct tread height and depth.  Lastly, make sure your stairwell is well lit with a three way switch at both the top and bottom.