6 Effective Ways to Make Your Stairs Safer

Stairs can be a tricky area in the home. Besides the potential tripping hazards, stairs can also pose a risk of falling. These falls are caused by poor lighting, slippery steps, weak handrails, or nonexistent railings altogether.  The higher you climb, the harder it is to take that first step back down to the bottom. With our busy lives, it should come as no surprise that more and more people are finding themselves struggling to navigate stairs safely due to limited mobility or broader issues such as age or injury, all of which can heighten the risk of falling. Whatever the case may be, it is important to keep your stairs safe for everyone who uses them. Here, the renowned carpentry contractors Sydney will show you how you can make your stairs safer for the inhabitants and the guests.

• Clear any clutter that could trip you

A good first step to take to make your stairs safer is to remove objects that could pose a risk like books, objects, shoes or pots. When people trip on items left on the stairs, it's often because they're too distracted or wrapped up in their day to remember what's where.

• Install Handrails

A handrail is, in effect, an alternative to installing a barrier. If you are designing a staircase, a handrail is a cheap way to make the staircase safer, and you might as well use it. A good handrail should be of the average reach of an adult. It needs to be straight, and it should be mounted at about the same height from the floor as from where you walk. A good handrail should attach to the stairs with screws or bolts, not with brackets or glue. You don’t need to worry about all these specifications because your local carpenters are experts and will keep all safety measures in consideration. Call the professional carpenters: 0412531757.

• Increase Visibility

The best way to make your stairs safer is to make them more visible:

• paint them a colour that contrasts well with surrounding walls, preferably something dark, 
• hang something dark to contrast with the stairs, preferably black curtains 
• if the stairs are tucked behind a door, place a lamp or a candle at eye level so people see them.

 

• Adjust any loose parts of the stairs

Check out your stairs carefully or call over credible carpenters at 0412531757. Make sure that all the parts are intact and working correctly. If there are any loose parts, fix them as soon as possible as these can cause you to trip or slip. Replace rickety handrails as well as those that have lost their protective rubber covering. Check out the stair treads and risers for discolouration which may be a sign of rotting wood beneath.

• Provide adequate lighting

In most cases, usual stair lights are not meant to dim and illuminate more than one step at a time. A better way to install stair lighting is to use recessed lighting that illuminates the complete length of the stairs and does not obstruct traffic flow. A well-lighted staircase is an obvious need for a house, and it's the responsibility of the homeowner and the builder to make sure that it's well lit.

• Install carpets to make the stairs less slippery

If your stairs are slippery, installing a set of beautiful stair carpets can reduce accidents. It can be a beautiful addition to a home's décor and function to provide traction on the stairway which increases safety for everyone. Carpets should be firmly attached to the stair riser, tread and nosing or have stair rods, otherwise, they can start to curl and become trip hazards. While many homeowners are aware of the dangers that stairs pose, steps are sometimes overlooked by homeowners that are in the midst of an extensive renovation. Whether your stairs lead to your basement, garage, or just to another part of the house, everyone needs to be able to use these safely. Level Headed Carpentry company has a thriving reputation in Sydney for delivering projects across on time and to budget with an excellent workforce & management. This carpentry team will inspect your house and stairs for potential threats and implement the required applications.