For many of us, stairs are a routine part of daily life. We might have them in our homes, workplaces and encounter them when we go to the shops.
Much like walking around, climbing or going down stairways usually passes without issue. However, this is not always the case. Thousands of injuries and fatalities occur every year in the U.S. because of stair-related accidents.
While not every one of these accidents was preventable, many of them could have been. The following factors make stairways a much more dangerous place than they need to be.
Poor lighting conditions
It goes without saying that to remain safe while traveling on foot you must be able to see where you’re going. In the darkness, whether it be indoors or outside at nighttime, stairways must have adequate lighting. This responsibility ultimately falls on the owner of the property or their management team. The consequences of falling down an ill-lit staircase can be catastrophic and it is simply not worth it for the sake of fitting or replacing a few lightbulbs.
Lack of handrails
If you’ve ever tried to navigate an uneven surface without supporting yourself on your hands, then you know how tricky it can be. People shouldn’t have to go up or down a stairway without having a handrail to support their weight. If you lose balance on a stairway without a safety rail, there is no second chance, no opportunity to regain your balance. You will simply fall and hurt yourself, possibly in a serious manner.
Moving up and down stairways almost feels automatic at times, but it is important that safety is not taken for granted. If you have fallen down the stairs and injured yourself, you might want to explore your legal options.