I think most of us have heard that we should take the stairs at work instead of the elevator to get in a little more exercise…but the jury is still out on whether stairs at home can help you be more healthy. One thing for certain is that stairs can be a hazard if not properly maintained. Follow these tips to make your stairs safer.
Stairs should not be used for storage, even ‘just for a moment’. Do not put items ‘to take upstairs later’ on the stairs. If this is a habit, install or have someone help you install a shelf near the stairs for those items. Or perhaps a small table will fit. It will depend on your stairs. Whatever you do, be sure not to add to the safety issue by overcrowding the landing or having a shelf you can hit your head on.
Have good lighting in the stairs and use it. You can have light switches that glow installed for the stairway lights
Ensure that there are no loose or broken steps and if there are have them repaired right away. That goes for handrails too. They should be present on all stairs and in good repair.
Finally, if your stairs do not have carpet, paint a bright strip on the top and bottom stair so they are more visible. Be sure that the stairs are not slippery, stair treads or paint with grit can help this. But no area rugs, none, ever, on or near the stairs.
Living at home can be safe if you take the right steps (pun intended) – enjoy!
Stairs should not be used for storage, even ‘just for a moment’. Do not put items ‘to take upstairs later’ on the stairs. If this is a habit, install or have someone help you install a shelf near the stairs for those items. Or perhaps a small table will fit. It will depend on your stairs. Whatever you do, be sure not to add to the safety issue by overcrowding the landing or having a shelf you can hit your head on.
Have good lighting in the stairs and use it. You can have light switches that glow installed for the stairway lights
Ensure that there are no loose or broken steps and if there are have them repaired right away. That goes for handrails too. They should be present on all stairs and in good repair.
Finally, if your stairs do not have carpet, paint a bright strip on the top and bottom stair so they are more visible. Be sure that the stairs are not slippery, stair treads or paint with grit can help this. But no area rugs, none, ever, on or near the stairs.
Living at home can be safe if you take the right steps (pun intended) – enjoy!