Check the safety of the stairs in your home

Stair-related accidents in the home are surprisingly common, often stemming from overlooked safety features such as secure railings, non-slip steps, and proper lighting. This blog post offers crucial insights and tips for ensuring your staircase is safe, making it a must-read for anyone considering buying a house and wanting to prevent potential hazards.

Most accidents happen in the home. A relatively large number of them occur on stairs because they're used intensively. Stairs are also the most common place in the home where you can trip over your foot. A safe staircase prevents many falls. In this blog post, we'll discuss specific tips to consider when buying a house.

A reliable railing

This sounds obvious, but it's sometimes overlooked. Are you sure the railing is securely fastened and can it handle unexpectedly heavy loads? Always check this when viewing a house. Also, if the railing is made of wood, make sure there are no splinters.

Surface of the steps

Staircase steps shouldn't be too slippery. The vast majority of homes have already addressed this issue with anti-slip stair strips. Always check these are still in good condition during a viewing.

Another point to consider is if a staircase has a loose, decorative fabric section on each step. This type of decoration is slid around the step to give it a more elegant look. If this decoration isn't properly secured and you step wrong, it will slip, and you could fall badly. It's best to secure these loose pieces. You can also remove them and have the entire staircase upholstered.

Shallow steps

In many older homes, you might encounter short steps. These aren't ideal for safety, as they're easy to misstep. A completely new staircase isn't necessarily necessary. Stair renovation can also make the steps deeper.

Poorly lit stairs

Always ensure your stairs are well-lit. Good lighting in the stairwell makes a big difference in safety. You can also install small LED lights that respond to movement. This way, you can always see where the steps are.

Check safety of stairs

A building inspection examines every aspect of your (future) home in detail. After a building inspection, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the house's strengths and weaknesses, including the staircase. For example, if a staircase renovation is necessary, a building inspector can estimate the cost. Feel free to contact us for a building inspection or if you have any questions!

Would you like to make an appointment for a building inspection?

The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!

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