For individuals with mobility issues, a flight of stairs can be a dangerous part of the home. This is especially true for those who require wheelchairs and/or walkers. Especially for the benefit of our elderly loved ones, a particular focus must be placed on staircase safety.
In a number of past blogs, we’ve pointed out just how serious the injuries can be that result from slipping and falling. Needless to say, a fall down a flight of steps is the last thing you’d want happening in your home. So what can be done to make your staircase safer?
Well, for starters, let’s take down the decorations!
Yes, it’s true that many homes have their beauty enhanced by wonderful framed photos of family members and friends adorning the walls. The walls of your staircase, however, are better left bare. The potential no matter how remote of a picture falling from the wall and crashing on to your staircase is enough to relocate your precious framed photos.
Rob Blackbeard of South Africa’s staircase experts at Steel Studio agrees that it’s unwise to have any decorations along your staircase. “Never clutter your staircase with decorations and items that could compromise the staircase safety,” he writes, noting that it’s important to work with staircase contractors with proven track records, “This will ensure your safe journey up and down your beautiful new staircase, for years to come.”
And let’s not forget to illuminate your walkways.
Lights make everything better. Simply put, the better the lighting, the easier it is to see. It’s a no brainer, right? Make it easy to see each stair by having additional lighting in the staircase area. This is especially important for elderly loved ones with vision impairments. In the event that there is an obstacle of some kind on the stairs, it can be avoided more easily when the lighting is good.
“By adding lighting to your staircase, you are adding an additional safety factor to the stairs,” writes Blackbeard, “Users will find it easier to navigate a staircase, especially in the dark, if there is lighting provided. Staircase lighting has become a popular design element in any staircase design and this can be done in many creative ways to construct more interest in the overall look and feel of the staircase.”
For maximum safety, take a stair lift!
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we proudly offer both new and recycled high-quality stair lifts. Also known as stair chairs or chair lifts, these motorized chairs make it safe and easy for anyone to access multiple floors of the home. By using a stair lift, you completely eliminate the dangers associated with walking up and down steps.
Our stair lifts can be made to work with either straight or curved staircases and can be adapted to suit the specific needs of their users. If you have any questions about the stair lifts that Advantage Home Health Solutions has to offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them. Give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact Us page!
