On older stairways, stair depth may vary. This is a significant cause of falling. Be aware of the possibility of variance, and walk carefully. If you’re nearsighted, you’ll also want to wear your glasses when you walk down stairs. If your feet are out of focus, your risk for falling down stairs increases. If the stairs are not well-lit, such as at night, consider installing a night light or strip lighting so you can see every step.
Never take stairs more than one at a time. Keep your eyes on the stairs, particularly at the base of the stairway. Many falls occur when people assume they’ve reached the bottom of the stairs, and take a step out into air.
If existing handrails are decorative, but not useful, replace them with appropriate handrails. A handrail should allow for an adult person’s hand to wrap around it. The handrail should be free of splinters or rough areas that might injure the hand. The handrail should allow for free passage from beginning to end, without interruptions. At the bottom of the handrail, the handrail should extend at least the length of one stair. This will allow for stability upon reaching the end of the stairs.
Handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs. A person walking up and a person walking down stairs should both be able to hold a handrail without interruption. Never walk down stairs without holding one hand to the handrail.
Attach the safety gate securely to the wall on one side. The other side of the gate will be attached to the stair banister. Make sure that the latch on the gate is properly closed at all times you need the gate to be effective. Pressure gates are designed to fit between a door frame. Never use a pressure gate to block a stairway, as it will not be secure.
Nothing should be loose or sticking out of stairs, such as loose boards, nails or other building debris. Clean up any liquids that have spilled, or anything sticky that might affect passage down the stairs. Don’t place loose rugs at the top or bottom of stairs. These may slip and result in falling down stairs.
Use lighting or paint to emphasize the outline of each stair. A common strategy in commercial stairways is to paint a bright strip along the end of each stair, or to light it with a string of small lights. Use matte paint - not glossy - to avoid any glare from lights which may impair ability to gauge depth. Don’t use patterned carpets on stairs, as these may obscure depths.
Stair lighting can be placed on the wall, about 5-6 inches above stairs. Lights can also be placed within each stair, lighting the stair below, or lit from underneath. Stair lighting is an opportunity to be creative. If you find yourself around stairs without adequate lighting, use a flashlight.
These can be applied to the full stair, or just the leading edge. Carpets should be kept in good condition. Keep stairs free of any loose threads, and replace when carpet treads are worn.
If your ankles are weak, make sure you also include ankle support when walking down stairs. A turned ankle may result in a fall. Keep your feet turned slightly out for better stability.
If you find yourself wearing these clothes in a situation where walking down stairs can’t be avoided, be careful to gather the excess material in one hand as you walk. Hold carefully to the stair rail with your other hand. Wearing clothes that are overly long prevents you from seeing your feet. Not visually knowing where your feet are on the stairs raises the risk of falling.
If you must wear tight skirts, walk up and down stairs by putting both feet on each stair, rather than alternating stairs. Another way to navigate stairs in a very tight skirt is to push the skirt as far up the thigh as you politely can. This allows your knees more leeway, and aids in walking up and down stairs more safely.
