Preventing Falls on Stairs
Reduce your risk of injuries at home
When seniors fall, the consequences for their health can be both
severe and long-lasting. Thankfully, many of these falls can be
prevented with a little careful planning and a few simple
strategies. To help you protect your health, mobility and
independence, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has
a number of tips on how seniors can help reduce the risk of falls
on stairs at home. These include the following:
- Avoid visually distracting patterns on the tread (the
horizontal part of a step) that can make it difficult to
distinguish one step from another. If the edges of the stairs
can't be seen clearly, mark them by painting a permanent stripe
on the edge in a contrasting colour.
- Improve the lighting on steps and stairs. Use lighting that
makes the edges of stairs visible without causing glare or strong
shadows, and consider installing low-intensity night lighting, as
well as a light switch at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
- For steps with short treads or a high rise (the vertical
height of a step), keep any coverings thin and tightly affixed to
maximize the useable tread space. Avoid soft treads with a large
rounding at the edge. If you're renovating or building new
stairs, allow for ample tread space and a gentle rise, and make
sure all the steps are of a uniform size and height.
- For winding or curved stairs, be sure to provide a handrail
on both sides, especially where the stairway includes
combinations of rectangular and tapered treads. Handrails are
strongly recommended regardless of the number of steps and, where
possible, should be installed on both sides of the stairs.
- Steps that are non-uniform in size are an especially common
cause of missteps and falls. Consider a partial or complete
rebuilding of the steps to make them of uniform size and height.
This is very important!
- Use a slip-resistant, rough finish on stairs that are prone
to getting wet.
- Make sure to fasten all coverings on stairs securely.
- Don’t place any objects or loose rugs on steps, landings or
at the top or bottom of the stairway.
- Position handrails at about adult elbow height, and extend
them on both sides for the full length of the stairway as well as
beyond the top and bottom of the stairs. Repair loose or broken
handrails. Ensure that the handrails have a tactile indicator
that warns when a stairway is coming to an end, and are easy to
see even in low light or at night.
- Lastly, always be cautious, deliberate and not rushed when
taking the stairs. Hold on to the handrails, wear shoes or
slippers that fit properly and have a non-slip sole, remove
reading glasses, switch on stair lights and – most importantly –
always take your time, especially when using an unfamiliar
stairway.
