Staircase accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries resulting in disability. Staircase slips and falls are prevalent in both residential and commercial properties. These injuries are not to blame on just steep and many steps, staircase falls occur on wide and limited steps as well.
In most staircase related accidents, the following are typically the culprit:
- Items left on the stairs
- Broken or badly eroded tread
- Loose and torn carpeting
- Missing handrail
- Irregularity of top and bottom riser
A study conducted in 1998 by Cornell University found that of 68 houses in the New York area, 55% of staircase accidents were faulted because of at least two of the hazards listed above. That percentage has remained steady over the years.
Of the research conducted on staircase falls, it was determined that slips are the primary cause of falls and occur most often when people are walking down stairs. Next most frequent cause of staircase fall injuries is the absence of a handrail. Also, when stairs are unexpectedly located, falls are more likely to occur. Researchers have also found that stair design plays a large role in the occurrence and prevention of accidents. This fact alone is why it is ever so important to have a professional and experience stair building company to handle the construction and installation of your stairs.
So which group of people is more likely to experience injury resulting from a staircase accident?
A national representative that reviews stair-related injuries found that in 2012, 932,000 children younger than the age of 5 were sent to the emergency room between the years 1999-2008, which equates to about 100,000 children per year. Another group that sees the ER and their doctor from slips and falls from using the stairs – are the elderly. Limited mobility and a decrease in eye sight quality heighten the prevalence of stair related injuries.
Now that we have discussed at length the statistics revolving around staircase related injuries, we can take a look at a reliable solution for decreasing accidents. Whether traditional straight steps or curved stairs that curve upward, stair accidents can still happen. The prevention of such accidents would obviously be to walk slower and more carefully, but both of those precautions are not a guarantee.
So what to do?
Stair lifts make going up and down stairs more easily accessible and safer. Stairlifts are revolutionary because they can be installed to suit all kinds of stair types, even curved stairs.
Other benefits of a stairlift include: 
- The ability to keep independence and freedom especially within the elderly community.
- Avoidance of having to convert your home to make going up and down stairs more accommodating.
- No negotiation of a new staircase needed and you can conserve energy in the home because stairlifts get installed on an existing staircase.
- Stairlifts ease the stress involved around trying to manage stairs and risking a slip or fall.
- Stairlifts eliminate the need to move to a ground floor in the hopes of not needing a set of stairs.
- Having a stairlift is also a safe means for stair travel with those who suffer from a disability.
Installing a stairlift begins with examining your current staircase. Straight stairs are those with no curve or bend in them. The stairlift rail runs along a custom made rail and usually only fit one flight of stairs. The lift for straight stairs will typically only take a couple of hours at most. The straight lift for stairs is the most common lift for residential homes.
For the curved staircase, there are a few elements of design that are unlike the straight. The curved staircase can be spiral, fanned and have half or quarter landings. Because of the intricate design and shape of a curved staircase, stairlifts rails in these instances are custom made. Curved lifts for stairs are designed for more than one floor.
In addition to the custom lift rails, there are a variety of chairs to choose from. All chairs are completely comfortable and safe to ride in, even if there are multiple floors to climb. The level of comfort and accommodations are determined upon the need. For complete support, you will want a chair with full back and side support. A half back and short sides is also available.
For a quality staircase, you can contact our team at Acadia Stairs. We can work to the best of our ability to accommodate your needs and style preferences. If you have an idea of a staircase in mind, we will work together to create your vision. Our portfolio of possible staircases is extensive.
All of our stairs are built with the highest of safety standards. If you have a risk of slips and falls from a staircase accident, rest assured that there are products, such as the stair lift, that are available to take away the risk of injury. Contact us today for more information!
