The elderly and children are disproportionately affected by stair-related accidents, which can result in fractures and serious head and neck injuries that necessitate hospitalization or physical therapy. Since injuries can be prevented and stair users’ safety can be guaranteed, handrails are crucial.
You already know that handrails are a recommended safety device for any public or private space. However, you may not be aware of the importance of handrails. Why are handrails a safety feature?
Related: How to Make the Stairs Safer at Home? – Elder VIP
Do You Need a Handrail?
Handrails are a safety net that everyone needs, though the decision is ultimately yours to make in your own home. It’s essential for anyone traversing a staircase to have something to comfortably hold on to for both safety and security. In addition to preventing falls, they can shield you from harm and lessen the effects of falls that have already started.
Plus, they can provide support to the elderly and the disabled who struggle to travel up and down the stairs. Where there isn’t a wall in a residential home, it is advised to install at least one handrail to prevent falls. Two handrails, or however many you find most convenient, are advised if there are no walls.
If you’re deciding on installing handrails in a rental or commercial property, it’s necessary to mount two handrails, with one on each side of the stair. It’s important to plan ahead and make the necessary accommodations because the staircase will be used by a variety of people of all ages and illnesses. You may be held responsible for any accidents that happen on your property due to inadequate accessibility and a lack of injury protection.
How Do Handrails on Stairs Help Keep You Safe?
Avoiding Accidents
Let’s begin with the most obvious advantage of handrails: they are the best way to avoid a dangerous fall down the stairs. Contrary to popular belief, handrails are useful for all individuals. Over one million Americans injure themselves on stairs every year, and those people come from all walks of life. Building safety experts concur that safety features like handrails, which allow a person to catch themselves mid-fall, can help prevent accidents or reduce their severity. Handrails also help people keep their balance in slippery conditions, or when carrying loads that can put them off-balance. You might not think you need a handrail on your stairs, but you’ll be glad it’s there if you do!
Helping to Transport Heavy Objects
Handrails can help carry heavy objects more easily while also preserving balance and stability. They can serve as a guide while you’re carrying a heavy object and ascending a ramp or flight of stairs, preventing you from falling off or tumbling down. Depending on how it’s made, the handrail may give you a level surface to support the weight of whatever you’re carrying.
Assistance in Bad Weather
Walking outside can be a little risky for everyone when there are unfavorable weather conditions like rain or snow. People who are elderly or have mobility issues are more likely to slip and fall when there are wet surfaces. Handrails on ramps and steps can help people avoid getting injured by providing them with a stable object to hold on to as they cross slippery surfaces. These characteristics aid in ensuring that travelers can get to their destinations safely.
Provide Mobility Possibilities
It’s good to know that handrails can offer additional support for those who need it most, even though they are crucial for everyone’s safety. Did you know that one of the top suggestions for making a home or building senior-friendly is to install handrails? Handrails are also required by the ADA specifically because they help people with mobility issues safely navigate stairs and hallways. The support that handrails offer is appreciated even by people who experience vertigo or other balance problems. In addition to promoting independence and unrestricted movement for those who require it, handrails can increase a person’s confidence in their ability to move about a space. Handrails should be a top priority if you want your building to be truly accessible to everyone.
Where Do You Mount Your Handrail?
The right places to mount your handrail include masonry or concrete walls, stair guard railings, and walls with wood stud wall framing.
Although state regulations vary, handrails are typically mounted 34 to 38 inches above the bottom step. It’s critical to keep in mind that your wall mount railing’s height is relative to the stairs, not the floor.
We often use handrails throughout our daily life without even realizing it. not just on staircases, but also on inclines and walkways. They are essential tool for ensuring our safety and the safety of those around us. If handrails are lacking on your residential, commercial, or other property, install them as soon as you can. You or a loved one’s life could be saved.
Summary
Handrails are a crucial safety feature for any building, as you can see. You are kept safe, more help is given to those in need, and you are even protected from fines and legal action. So, take a look at your home or business. In what ways can handrails benefit you?
