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Step Up the Safety of Your Steps
 Whether
you're coming or going, the steps to your home are the passageway.
They can cause serious injuries if they're unstable or covered
with debris. Here's how you can make your steps safe for you,
your family and your visitors.
Check
your steps for these factors:
Are you building your own steps? If
so, first check both your park's regulations for them and
your local building codes that regulate tread depth, stair
width, riser height and handrails.
Are your steps secured? Your steps need
to be secure, whether they are on the ground or on cement.
It's easy to lose footing on wobbly or broken steps. When
steps sit on concrete pads, you can secure them with metal
straps screwed into the concrete. For more information about
building and securing porch steps, visit these sites:
Homestore
- Building Deck Stairs
Hammer
Zone.com - Building New Porch Steps: Installing Posts and
Stringers
Does the tread depth and riser height
measure the same for each step? Make sure the steps all measure
the same height, and have the same tread depth. This way,
no one will trip from an unexpected change in distance to
the next step.
Do you have a handrail? If not, add
one. If your steps measure several feet across, a handrail
on each side is best. Most local building codes require handrails.
Check these out before you install them.
Are your steps skid-resistant? Consider
affixing skid-resistant material in the center of your steps
to help establish sure-footedness. Keep this material in good
condition. If it deteriorates or separates from the steps,
it can become a hazard itself.
Do your steps need cleaning? Keep your
steps clear of debris like snow, ice and leaves. Though you
might have just a few steps, any debris can take away a person's
footing in an instant.
Do your steps need to be sealed? If
your steps are concrete, seal them with an acrylic or silicone-based
concrete sealer. If they are wooden, check if they need to
be stained or water sealed.
Are your steps even with the door? The
first step outside your home should be even with the entry
door and not be a step down.
Do your steps have gaps in them? If
your steps are made of wood, make sure no gaps exist between
the boards that a high-heel could get caught in.
How strong are the boards in your steps?
Make sure wooden steps are strong enough to safely hold the
weight of a person standing on an individual board.
Do you have open-backed steps? Make
sure the opening is 4 inches high or less, so a child won't
fall through them or get caught in them. If the opening is
more than 4 inches, cover the backs of your steps instead
of leaving them open.
Are your steps well lit? Make sure your
steps have adequate lighting on them at night.
Once your steps are in shape, be sure
to keep them well maintained and check them often for hazards.
This will ensure your steps always provide a warm welcome
for you and your guests.
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