Many people use handrails without thinking about them, but these objects play an essential role in safety. Although they are often overlooked, handrails can help prevent accidents and injuries.

A handrail is a long, narrow bar attached to a support post. It is usually made from strong aluminium or stainless steel handrails. While it may seem like an aesthetic addition to your home, it has practical benefits that many take for granted.

In this article, we’ll share five reasons you should install these fixtures in your home.

• Prevent Slips, Falls, or off Balances

Stainless steel handrails are an important safety feature for people who might otherwise fall or lose their balance. This is especially important for young children, seniors, and people with disabilities, who often have difficulty moving around. Handrails give them a way to get where they need to go safely.

• Supports Anyone Holding It

People with disabilities or who suffer from conditions that can limit their mobility often find comfort in being able to grab something to help them keep their balance.

The railing provides them with a sense of security, knowing they won’t lose their balance and fall as long as they’re holding on. The peace of mind and confidence the railing gives them allows them to ascend stairs or ramps without asking for help from others.

• Assists While Carrying Heavy Loads

Handrails not only help you keep your balance and stay stable, but they can also make it easier to carry heavy objects. They act as a guide, preventing you from falling or stumbling while you carry something heavy up a ramp or stairs.

The handrail can help you carry an object’s weight by giving you an even surface to hold onto.

• Provides Safety during Adverse Weather Conditions

Wet weather conditions like rain and snow can make it dangerous to walk outside. Slippery surfaces can cause people, especially seniors and those with mobility issues, to fall.

Ramps and steps with stainless steel handrails help people stay safe by giving them something to hold on to as they walk across slippery surfaces. This way, they can reach their destination without getting hurt.

• Keeps You In Line with the Law

In countries like Australia, some laws require ramps to have handrails. This is to make public spaces accessible for people with disabilities, as stated in the Disability Discrimination Act.

DDA-compliant ramps should be in all public places under this law. As stated by the DDA, these ramps should have various safety features, like handrails, placed about 1,000 millimetres apart to provide enough space for devices like wheelchairs and electric scooters.

Where to Install Handrails?

For those who have to find it quite challenging to maintain their balance or are prone to falling, grab rails can make a world of difference. Well-placed grab rails in the bathroom, for example, can help prevent falls and make it easier for users to get up from seated positions. This, in turn, can help increase independence and create peace of mind.

If you don’t have any trouble walking, you probably don’t give handrails a second thought when going down a flight of stairs. You probably haven’t noticed continuous sections—handrail sections that are connected and provide essential support, especially for people who have trouble walking. 

A continuous handrail is vital for safety, as it allows those with mobility issues to use stairs and ramps without worrying about breaks in the handrail. This also reduces the risk of falls.

Conclusion

The humble handrail often goes unnoticed, but it has a vital role in making our homes safer. Handrails can help prevent slips and falls and balance issues that can make it difficult to walk up or down stairs, ramps, or even across wet or slippery surfaces; they can also help you carry heavy objects. Above all, these handrails provide security and reassurance to people who might otherwise feel unsafe, especially when moving about in the home.

To install balustrades or railings at home, don’t hesitate to reach out to Aussie Balustrading and Stairs. If you need a reliable service to handle stainless steel handrails in Perth, contact us here.