Thursday, October 3, 2013

How to Walk on Stairs Safely

Your mother probably told you not to run around the pool. Did she give you tips on walking up and down some stairs, too? Even if she did, you probably didn’t listen. But in order to save face and keep your bones from breaking, you probably would listen now. If you walk up or down stairs frequently, read on for some tips about how to do so safely, including using the rail and stepping on stair nosing.



Use the Rail

Hopefully it’s not news to you that the rail alongside the stairs is not for decoration. It’s for handling. Yes, it’s for your handling. You are not too cool to grab onto the rail. This is especially important if the stairs are slippery or icy. Grabbing that rail can save you from tumbling down several stairs and landing at the bottom to meet a concerned (or laughing) crowd. If you’re a germaphobe, then wear gloves. Or use some antibacterial hand gel when you have reached the top. The germs are not going to hurt you any worse than falling down the stairs would.

Wear Good Shoes


Clearly, good shoes make all the difference. Those popular flat shoes have very slick bottoms on them. This makes you much more likely to slip and fall. Clearly, shoes with traction are your safest bet. Make sure they’re the kind that comes out, kind of like a big truck’s tires. The rubber bottoms that collect snow or ice in them aren’t going to help you. You want the kind that creates some tracks when you step in snow. Heels are not a good idea. Cross trainers might be a safe bet, but snow boots or other heavy-duty boots are certainly your safest wager at staying still on the slippery stairs.

Note the Grip Tape



When walking down stairs, it is especially important to use the ones that have stair nosing. The lack of grip tape on a step is all it takes for one foot to kick straight out in front of you while the rest of your body cascades down the cement steps. If there is no grip tape on the stairs, write a formal complaint while you’re at the hospital. And next time, wear good shoes and hold the rail like your mother told you to.

15 comments:

  1. Looking at the picture makes me dizzy already hehehe. Stair nosing is a great feature.

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  2. When I am wearing high heels and I have to climb stairs, I am mortified lol. I think flat shoes works for me.

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  3. I've learned my lesson to always wear a comfortable fit shoes to protect me from any accidents.

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  4. Many accidents have happened while using the stairs. These are useful tips to keep safe.

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  5. it's very safe to hold on the railings if there is that's when you can hold unto if you slipped accidentally, you can't tell if there is slime or wet in each step unless you examine them one at a time. thank you for your tips.

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  6. great tips! that what i always say to my daughter always hang on the rail coz it will help her a lot from balancing and safety too

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  7. I tried climbing a lighthouse stairs one time, and I swear, I am never going back there. LOL!

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  8. Haha! This post reminds me of the silly thing I did when I was a couple months pregnant with Tiara-- I climbed the spiral staircase, I think it was 26 steps, of the Lighthouse that we visited in Milwaukee! I don't know why I was too confident that time, or maybe I was just too excited to go on top. Thankfully, nothing bad happened at all. :D

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  9. Perfect tips that will lessen stair-related accidents. If i may , always be on the right side when going up or down the stair.

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  10. I'm always careful when walking especially when climbing stairs is required. It pays to be extra careful always. Thanks for the great tips!♥

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  11. It's also important to remember not to rush things out. I remember I used to always fall down the stairs because of it, lol.

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  12. Note the grip tape! Sometimes I forget to hold the railings. Hahahaha! Safety first guys! Better safe than sorry!

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  13. Good thing we don't have stairs in our house. My mom made sure that every house we moved to, doesn't have stairs because my mom during her childhood had so much scars because of their stairs. :)

    But, you have great tips here Ate.

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  14. This is a battle I've been having with my youngest almost every day. Walk one step at a time and not run up or down the stairs. He just wouldn't listen and every day my heart skip a beat... So those are stair nosing. Interesting.

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