Stairs safety:
In the best of all possible worlds, your home would all be on a single level, but you may very well have to deal with some stairs. Here are some general guidelines for making stairways as safe as possible.
If you can walk up and down stairs:
· Install handrails on each side of the stairway. Make sure the rails are attached to reinforced walls, the floor, or the ground.
· Make sure stairways are lighted so that the edges of each step can be clearly seen while going up and down. Reduce glare and shadows by using frosted light bulbs or globes over light fixtures. Install light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
· Periodically check steps to make sure treads or carpeting aren't worn. If the stairway is carpeted, make sure carpet is firmly attached to every step. Replace shag or deep pile carpeting, and avoid patterns or dark colors that might confuse the eye.
If you use a walker or wheelchair:
· You'll need ramps for outside stairs.
· If you have a long stairway, consider installing a stair lift or platform lift. Although these devices are fairly expensive, they're probably cheaper than buying a house that's all on the ground floor.
In the best of all possible worlds, your home would all be on a single level, but you may very well have to deal with some stairs. Here are some general guidelines for making stairways as safe as possible.
If you can walk up and down stairs:
· Install handrails on each side of the stairway. Make sure the rails are attached to reinforced walls, the floor, or the ground.
· Make sure stairways are lighted so that the edges of each step can be clearly seen while going up and down. Reduce glare and shadows by using frosted light bulbs or globes over light fixtures. Install light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
· Periodically check steps to make sure treads or carpeting aren't worn. If the stairway is carpeted, make sure carpet is firmly attached to every step. Replace shag or deep pile carpeting, and avoid patterns or dark colors that might confuse the eye.
If you use a walker or wheelchair:
· You'll need ramps for outside stairs.
· If you have a long stairway, consider installing a stair lift or platform lift. Although these devices are fairly expensive, they're probably cheaper than buying a house that's all on the ground floor.