Your feet can carry you to almost anywhere you want. It is one of the most reliable and hardworking parts of your body. It carries you day in and day out, but it also gets a lot of help from the environment. Throughout history, humans have made a lot of strides when it comes to navigating their surroundings. Simple machines like an inclined ramp allow you to walk to higher ground, while you also have more advanced fare like escalators and elevators that do the same thing.
The world has finite resources when it comes to space, so adding the element of verticality helps lessen a building’s footprint. So do not be surprised every time you see a new staircase installation around your office or school premises. That means a new path is being carved for a new area to explore.
Climbing the stairs requires you to be fit enough so that you can do it with ease. Every step you take when you climb up is an exercise in lifting your own weight. Naturally, if you are not too careful, you might miss a step or lose your balance and fall. As such, some safety measures need to be implemented to avoid or lessen the mishaps.
Corner Guards
Stairs can be made out of different materials like wood, steel, or concrete. While each can offer varying degrees of durability, the corner of each step can prove to be a safety hazard. A simple fall can get dangerous if a part of the body hits a sharp edge. You can smoothen this out by installing corner guards. Taking some of the edge off would not eliminate the possibility of accidents, but it could soften the blow should someone take a tumble.
Lighting
It is hard enough to walk over a flat plane, but it would be several times more difficult and dangerous to navigate the stairs in the dark. That is why proper placement of lighting is essential. It should be bright enough to reveal the steps or turns that would come your way. Large commercial structures have emergency lights on strategic locations that would automatically turn on in the event of a power shutdown. That helps to draw people away from unknown places and towards safer areas.
Step Markers
Some stairs give you an illusion where you cannot see the next steps like they are blended. That could be because of the right mix of viewing angle and lighting. Adding markers at the edges adds some contrast to the visuals and serves as an aid to where your feet should be.
Carpeting
Carpets provide a thin cushion to your stairs. So if anyone misses a step, that would act as a mild shock absorber. It also provides a grippy surface so that you can avoid slippage.
Anti-Slip Coating
There are concrete stairs designed to have a smooth finish, but it would be dangerous if that extends to its actual texture. No one wants to step on a slippery surface, especially if they are going down the stairs. That is why you need to apply an anti-slip coating. It is usually made mainly out of acrylic, and it can provide an excellent frictional surface while retaining its desired look.
Stairs help you get to places that you might otherwise not reach. It is a good thing that there are measures that can be set for you to have a safe climb. With these set in place, it will be up to how your body could traverse those steps. So stay fit and keep your balance in check.
