Annually, millions of people in the United States visit their physicians for fall-related injuries. Regardless of the type of surface, falls are one of the biggest causes of injuries every year. Unlike a typical slip down the hallway, falling down your stairs can result in injuries that are significantly more severe, and can lead to permanent disabilities. Research has shown that there are many factors involved when such falls take place, and some of them include the design of the staircase, visibility, and obstructions. In order to prevent falling on stairs, you can follow these tips to stay safe and protect your body from potential mobility-ending injuries.
Increase Visibility
Research has shown that poor visibility is one of the main causes of accidents on stairs. This usually happens when we misjudge the position of the steps and place our feet on the wrong location. In order to increase visibility, it is always wise to make the edges of the steps more obvious. This could be done by installing yellow safety tape that is luminous and obvious to the eye. Homeowners can also consider installing lighting along each individual step, so that they know exactly where they are going. Studies have shown that by investing in the visibility of the steps, the odds of falling down the stairs are significantly reduced. If you value your health and the concerns of your loved ones, this is an extremely simple and practical solution to potentially life-threatening falls.
Addition of Handrails
Grabrails or handrails, are another great way to help staircase users maintain their balance when they climb up and down the stairs. These rails can act as additional support when the user is moving up and down, and help to improve the confidence of people who might be suffering from balance or motor skill issues. Coupled with the proper lighting of the staircase, this can greatly reduce any potential fall risk. Similar to the steps, when you are choosing the type of rails to install, do make sure that they are of high visibility and easy to grip.
Stairlifts If you or your loved one have problems with mobility or accessing different areas in your multi-story home, you might want to opt to have a stairlift installed. There are many different types of stairlifts available in the market today. For example, you can choose from simple, straight stairlifts, curved stairlifts, outdoor stairlifts, and even refurbished stairlifts. With such a wide range of easily accessible options, you will be able to move around your home with much greater ease again. However, it is essential to note that depending on the type of stairlift, and the functions it offers, the price and timeframe for installation will vary. Straight stairlifts are the most straightforward option because most homeowners have a flight of straight stairs at home. However, if your staircase is curved or consists of bends, a curved stairlift would be more suitable. Do note that this also means that it will be more customized to the unique structure of your staircase and have a higher installation cost.
