Tripping or slipping on the stairs can result in a fall, which could cause serious injury or even death. Falls are the most common type of accident to happen in the home. The risk of a serious fall increases with age and older people over the age of 65 are most at risk.
RoSPA figures show that each year approximately 1.2 million people go to A&E following a fall at home. Among the over 65 age group, 30% of A&E visits are due to falls that happened at home. Statistics show that falls are responsible for the majority of accidental injuries at home and falls are the biggest cause of accidental death in over-65s in this country.
Many falls among elderly people occur on the stairs and are associated with frailty or failing health. The risk of a fall can be reduced by making elderly people and their carers aware of the dangers around the home. Appropriate changes and adaptations can then be made to improve safety.
How to Make Your Stairs Safer
1, Make sure the staircase is well lit along its entire length. There should be light switches at both ends of the stairs that enable the lights to be turned and off from both floors. No one should have to negotiate the stairs in the dark.
- Keep the stairs clear of anything that could be a trip hazard, such as worn carpet or items placed on the stairs waiting to be carried up or downstairs.
- Straight stairs that don’t have open risers and aren’t too steep are the safest design. Curved stairs will have narrower treads on the inside of the bend. You can make sure the steps on any stairs are easier to see by clearing marking the leasing edges. This makes it easier for users to distinguish between the step and the edge of each stair.
- Any carpet on the stairs should be fitted securely and be as slip-resistant as possible.
- Most stairs already have a banister or handrail along one side. If users need extra support consider fitting a handrail to the other side, so there is something to hold on to on each side.
- 6. Consider installing a stairlift to enable the user to travel up and down the stairs in safety if they are really beginning to struggle with mobility. Stairlifts can be fitted on most styles of the staircase, including ones with tight turns or steep steps. Grants are available to help those on low incomes, but generally speaking, the stairlift cost is less expensive than moving to a property on a single level. Many companies also offer stairlift hire if it is only going to be needed on a temporary basis.
As illustrated here, there are a number of things you can do to make your stairs safer and reduce the risk of a fall and serious injury. These measures can make the stairs safer for anyone that uses them, not just someone with limited mobility, sight impairment, or dementia.