Staircases have been used since ancient times, and their importance hasn’t waned to this day. Staircases are found in homes, workplaces, and commercial and public spaces. 

Because staircases are an essential component of many buildings, they must be designed with safety in mind. Improperly designed staircases can lead to dangerous falls and severe injuries. 

To prevent such injuries, experts in balustrading in Perth shares some tips to ensure safe staircases:

Optimise Design for the Riser and Tread

The riser and tread of the staircase should be sized correctly to prevent tripping and missteps. The risers should be between 3 and 4 inches, and the treads should be between 9 and 10 inches. A tread that’s too short can be uncomfortable to walk on, while a tread that’s too long can also cause trips and falls.

Eliminate Any Tripping Hazards

It’s important that the staircase is free from any tripping hazards. For example, the staircase should be free from cords or wires that can cause people to trip. Children should also be kept away from loose ends of cables and wires that can lead to accidents.

Choose an Anti-Slip Surface Material

Because slipping is a major cause of falls, it’s important to ensure that the surface material of the stairs is non-slip. Anti-slip materials such as sandstone treads, non-slip tapes, paints, and tapes can prevent falls. It’s also essential to make sure that the entire staircase is non-slip.

Improve Visibility

The staircase should be well-lit to ensure that people can see where they are walking. Lighting also improves the visual perception of the staircase, making it more attractive and inviting to use. Make sure that the switch to the lighting is accessible, too, so members of your family can easily turn them on when needed.

If possible, consider adding LED lights to the handrail and the staircase itself to improve visibility. This is especially important at night when it’s harder to see what’s going on.

Don’t Forget About the Balustrades

Hand railings are essential for the safety of anyone using the staircase. An improperly sized handrail or a missing handrail can lead to accidents. It’s important to make sure that the railing is the appropriate size for the staircase tread. Also, you should replace any loose, broken, or damaged balustrades that can cause people to trip and fall. Do not wait until someone gets hurt before you replace yours if you already notice signs of damage.

Establish a Gate Where Necessary

If you have young children, you may want to consider installing a gate where the staircase meets the wall. A gate will help keep your children safe and prevent them from wandering all over the house. You can install a gate with a child lock to keep your children from opening the gate from the bottom.

Conclusion

To ensure the safety of everybody in your household, you should ensure to make your staircase as safe as possible. Remember to optimise the design for the riser and tread, remove all tripping hazards, choose an anti-slip surface, improve visibility, have sturdy balustrades, and establish a gate where necessary.  For you to be able to ensure that your staircase is safe, you should also source the materials from trusted stairs and balustrade manufacturer so you can be sure of their quality.

Aussie Balustrading and Stairs is your trusted source for the highest quality balustrades in Perth. Contact us today to know more about our stairs and balustrades!