can you trip up the stairs

• Icon Link Plus Icon

optional screen reader

Why do some people trip & fall more than others.

by Laura Bogart

Laura Bogart

• Share on Flipboard Plus Icon
• Share on Pinterest Plus Icon
• Share on Facebook Plus Icon
• Share on Twitter Plus Icon

Our days are a symphony of movements — from mundane tasks like brushing our teeth to making the coffee, typing up our reports and driving our cars, cooking dinner and preparing for bed again — and the conductors of this symphony are our motor and sensory systems. Our eyes and our brains, nerves, muscles and bones work in tandem to keep us coordinated and balanced as we move through the world.

And most days, everything comes together in perfect harmony — so when we start to falter, to trip up the stairs or bump into tables or to drop our keys on our front porch, it can be cause for alarm. Clumsiness can be part and parcel of several serious medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or even a stroke. However, most of our everyday oopsies aren’t cause for concern, even for people who might describe themselves as chronically clumsy.

More : 5 Commons Skin Care Label Lies

In essence, what we’d define as clumsiness, or a lack of coordination and balance , is about how rapidly and efficiently our brains absorb and process information — we don’t register that, hey, there’s a pothole coming up in the road ahead and we better swerve our bikes in the next 10 seconds, so over the handlebars we go.

Sometimes, this slow processing speed is the result of a momentary distraction. Other times, it’s the result of prolonged stress or worrying. David Broadbent, a British experimental psychologist, began to question whether accident-prone people suffered from a low-grade yet chronic kind of cognitive failure and even developed a self-reported cognitive failures questionnaire (sample questions include: “Do you fail to notice signposts in the road?” and “Do you fail to hear people speaking to you when you are doing something else?”).

According to the cognitive failure theory, people who find themselves answering yes to a lot of these questions can regain some coordination and focus. By partaking in mindfulness training and meditation or using brain games to get our gray matter back in fighting form.

More : Why Resetting Your Internal Clock Is Easier Said Than Done

That said, research suggests that there are, indeed, times when our bodies simply won’t cooperate with us — even when we’re simply trying to walk up a flight of stairs.

During our teenage years, our physical development can happen so quickly that our brains and nervous systems simply don’t have time to recalibrate information about the size, speed and movement of our limbs.

Women are prone to bouts of clumsiness during certain times in their lives. Though we’d like to imagine all pregnant women as blissfully lit-from-within bastions of life and serenity, in fact, pregnancy can be laden with stubbed toes and dropped papers — after all, baby bumps do change a woman’s center of gravity, and the hormones that relax her joints in preparation for childbirth also impact her manual dexterity and reactivity. Changes in hormone levels can also make women who are about to start their periods extra clumsy. Lowered levels of progesterone have deleterious effects on our vision, hand steadiness and coordination of movements. Starting the pill can help balance out hormone levels and keep us from turning into accidental bulls in the china shop.

More :  Startling Rise in Babies Born With Syphilis

The good news is that some of the things we should be doing to live healthier, more productive lives are some of the best ways to combat clumsiness. Getting plenty of rest as well as mental and physical activity is essential for getting body and mind back to their best potential and back in synch with each other — because, even though they might not have you dancing the lead in Swan Lake , they ensure that every safe step you take is a piece of beautiful music.

Leave a Comment

Comments are closed.

More Stories from Health & Wellness

Jennifer lopez’s intense workout shows how she strengthens her arms, butt, & abs at 54, can endometriosis make you gain weight what experts say about the complicated connection, halle berry’s spicy perimenopause story with boyfriend van hunt even shocked jill biden, the pros and cons of peeing in the shower (& why it’s not as gross as you think), shoppers say their ‘neck & shoulder pain are gone’ after using this cooling body pillow — now only $17.

SheKnows is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 SheMedia, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

• (0) $ 0.00

Home / Slip & Fall Problem Areas / Structures / Stairs

SLIP & FALL PROBLEMS AREAS ON STAIRS

Did you know that 4% of all emergency room visits and 15% of fall-related injuries occur on stairs or in conjunction with handrails or banisters? That’s a fairly staggering number considering many able-bodied people use stairs daily. It can also be a frightening number to homeowners with multiple-story homes when their family’s safety is their #1 priority. 

While most injuries happen when going down the stairs, many people become injured after missing their footing while going up the stairs.  The issue is further complicated as the length, construction, and placement of stairways can vary greatly.  While building codes often dictate the rise and run of stairs, older staircases and those not built to code create unique problems.

Stairs can be made of basic lumber, finished hardwood, glass, composite material, metal, or concrete.  They can be carpeted, covered in polished stone, painted, or unpainted.  Because this category is so broad, it is best to categorize the process of reducing slips and falls into prevention and mitigation.

View HandiTreads Products in Use

Many times, people will wait until an accident occurs, like a fall that sends you to the ER, before taking fall prevention seriously. Like most things, no one thinks it will happen to them until it does. Recognizing unsafe behaviors can go a long way in preventing injuries on stairs. Some of the most accessible ways to prevent stairway injuries are to:

• Use Handrails When Available: When using stairs without a handrail, we’ll often have only a single foot, which is only a single point of contact, on the stairs. A hand on the rail provides another point of contact, increasing stability and providing a way to recover should we start to fall. This also makes it evident that no one should be running up and down the stairway, as the movement of the arms interferes with the use of the handrail. 
• Make Smart Footwear Choices: Worn-out shoes, slippery soles, high heels, clothing that falls below foot level, untied shoelaces, and wearing only socks all contribute to unsafe situations. While we’ve all experienced how slippery socks can be on hardwood floors and stairs, we continue this unsafe behavior because wearing socks is a simple solution to cold feet. A small change, such as a warm pair of slippers with nonslip soles, can make all the difference.
• Be Careful When Carrying Items: Carrying anything on the stairs increases your risk of an accident. Your attention is split between what you’re holding and where you are walking.  Your weight distribution and balance are affected, and the greater physical effort can result in missteps. Because your hands aren’t available to hold onto the handrails, your view of the stairs may be blocked by the object you’re carrying. Carrying children down stairs results in about five thousand child injuries a year. In fact, children who are injured when being carried are more severely injured than those who fall on their own. If you have to carry something on the stairs, focus on carrying things safely. Making multiple trips with smaller and lighter loads will make you safer.
• Keep Stairs Clean: Keep your stairs clear of clutter and clean up spills immediately. Waiting until later can result in accidents. Stairways in residential environments can also be slowly consumed with items like folded clothes waiting to go upstairs, but in order to avoid creating any slip and fall hazards, it is essential to keep the stairway clear.

You can mitigate the slip, trip, and fall risks on stairs by mitigating design, construction, and material flaws that often lead to slips and falls. You can also reduce risk by mitigating the environmental conditions that encourage falls.  Here are ways to mitigate the inherent risk from stairs.

• Install Handrails: Stairs should have a well-secured handrail, if at all possible. Using a handrail while ascending or descending stairs adds a second point of stability that will often allow you to “catch” a slip before it becomes a fall. Don’t overlook locations with just one or two steps, like a transition between your home and garage or the steps leading up to your porch.
• Repair or Replace Worn or Cracked Steps: Take care of problems right away. If you notice loose, uneven, cracked, or broken steps; broken or chipped stair edges; and nosings (front-edge guards) that are bent and do not lie flat, address these issues as quickly as possible. By maintaining stairs properly, or retrofitting them with tread caps like our HandiTreads nosings , you can minimize the risk posed by the physical deterioration of stair treads. HandiTreads aluminum stair treads and nosings prevent slips, trips, and falls by increasing the traction on the step while also increasing the structural integrity of the steps. The treads are also offered in four refined earth-toned shades that either blend in or create an elegant contrast with any surface to which they are applied, making them the ideal anti-slip solution for homeowners who value both form and function. 
• Ensure Stairs Have a Standard Rise and Run: A standard step has a 7-inch rise with an 11-inch-wide run. We expect this—our muscle memory is trained for this pattern. A serious design flaw, such as stair riser height that var­ies on the same set of stairs, can mean that we are tak­en by surprise and our balance is affected. Stairs that have a higher than average rise will cause us to stumble. A lower-than-average rise will require a lot of extra steps and will feel unnatural. Stair treads that are too narrow provide too little space to properly place our feet, and treads that are too wide create an unnatural gait and require extra concentration to keep from landing on the stair edge.
• Anticipate Weather Conditions: If the stairway or steps at your home are located outdoors, like steps leading to a deck or porch, they will be exposed to elements like rain, snow, frost, and even mold. These conditions can cause stairs to become dangerous slip and fall hazards. The best way to prevent injuries due to slips, trips, and falls on outdoor stairways and steps is to install anti-slip products that will help provide continuous traction. HandiTreads are a permanent anti-slip solution that provides slip, trip, and fall prevention in virtually any weather condition. With their patented raised-button traction surface, the treads create a solid contact between shoe and stair tread in rain, sleet, and even up to one inch of snow. If there is a large amount of snow accumulated on the stairway, you can remove it using a snow shovel, unlike with grit tape or rubber treads. Unlike other anti-slip products, HandiTreads provide slip and fall protection throughout the year in all weather conditions and have a lifetime residential warranty. 

HandiTreads Installation Gallery

• residential

HandiTreads 5600 99th Ave, Unit A4 Kenosha, WI 53144 877-328-7389

Copyright 2024 © HandiTreads | This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Stair Treads
• Deck/Ramp Treads
• Stair Nosings
• Deck Strips
• Other Products
• Outdoor Wood Stairs
• Trex or Composite Wood Stairs
• Pressure Treated Wood Steps
• Concrete Stairs – Good Condition
• Concrete Stairs – Poor Condition
• Parts of a Wood Deck Slippery
• Entire Wood Deck Slippery
• Trex Composite Wood Deck Slippery
• Slippery Wood Ramp
• Concrete Wheelchair Ramps
• HandiTreads Stop-the-Slip Configurator
• HandiTreads Aluminum Treads
• HandiTreads Aluminum Deck Treads
• HandiTreads Non-Slip Treads for Ramps
• HandiTreads Aluminum Nosings
• HandiTreads Aluminum Deck Strips
• Natural Wood
• Synthetic Wood
• Porches & Decks

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

Join our email list and save 10% off your next order!

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Musculoskeletal System Health

How to Avoid Falling Down Stairs

Last Updated: February 29, 2024 Fact Checked

Navigating Stairs Safely

• Making Stairs Slip-Resistant

Dressing for Safety

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA . Luke Smith is a wikiHow Staff Writer. He's worked for literary agents, publishing houses, and with many authors, and his writing has been featured in a number of literary magazines. Now, Luke writes for the content team at wikiHow and hopes to help readers expand both their skillsets and the bounds of their curiosity. Luke earned his MFA from the University of Montana. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 201,656 times. Learn more...

Stair-related accidents happen to millions of people a year, but most of these accidents can be easily prevented by following a few simple safety tips. [1] X Research source Pay attention to each step, for one, and always use the handrail to guide yourself up and down the staircase. We’ll fill you in on many more safety measures to take to prevent falls for yourself and your loved ones, including how to safely navigate stairs, how to ensure the stairs themselves are safe to use, and the best clothing to wear to avoid slips.

Things You Should Know

• Use a handrail and keep your focus on your footing as you navigate stairs.
• Take the stairs slowly and one by one. Avoid rushing on stairs or skipping steps.
• Make sure the stairs are well-lit and have a grippable surface, like treads or carpeting.

• Avoid looking at your phone, a book, or any other distraction while using stairs.
• Be aware that stairs may be uneven, especially on older stairways, so tread carefully!
• Always wear your glasses or contacts when using stairs to ensure you have the best, most accurate view of what’s beneath you.

• Pay special attention to the first and last 3 steps, which is where many accidents occur.

• Hold the handrail for the entire length of the stairs, and keep one hand on it at all times.

• Make sure that the latch on the gate is properly closed at all times you need the gate to be effective.
• Pressure gates are designed to fit between a door frame between rooms. Never use a pressure gate to block a stairway, as it will not be secure.

Making Your Stairs Slip-Resistant

• Make sure the rails allow for an adult person's hand to wrap around it, and are free of splinters or rough areas that might injure the hand.
• Also make sure the handrails extend at least the length of one stair at the bottom and top of the staircase to allow for ease mounting and dismounting, and are ideally on both sides.
• Consider installing a seated stair elevator to assist those with limited mobility.

• Make sure nothing is loose or sticking out of stairs, such as loose boards, nails or other building debris.
• Avoid placing loose rugs at the top or bottom of stairs. These may shift and result in falls.

• Use matte paint—not glossy—to avoid any glare from lights which may impair ability to gauge depth.
• For carpeted stairs: Avoid patterned carpet, as these may obscure the depth of each step. Carpet your stairs with monochrome, single-colored carpeting instead.

• Lights can also be placed within each stair, lighting the stair below, or lit from underneath. Stair lighting is an opportunity to be creative.
• If you find yourself around stairs without adequate lighting, use a flashlight.

• Also monitor the condition of carpeted stairs. Keep these free of any loose threads, and replace the carpeting when it becomes worn to the underlying mesh.
• Consider closing the gaps of open-backed stairs with wood paneling.
• For outdoor stairs: Scatter ice melt across outdoor stairs in cold climates to prevent stairs from freezing.

• If your ankles are weak, make sure you also include ankle support when walking down stairs. A turned ankle may result in a fall.
• Keep your feet turned slightly out for better stability.

• Or, gather the excess material in one hand as you walk, and hold the stair rail with your other hand.
• If you must wear tight skirts, walk up and down stairs by putting both feet on each stair, rather than alternating stairs.
• Or, hike the skirt as far up your thigh as you modestly can. This allows your knees more leeway, and aids in walking up and down stairs more safely.

Expert Q&A

• There are an estimated 1 million staircase-related injuries per year, about 41% of which occur on the lower body, and 21% of which impact the head or neck. [14] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you have a staircase-related injury, prop yourself into a comfortable position and phone an emergency number, or call out for help, if you’re able. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Staircase-related injuries range from the slight to the severe. Even a small injury may require pain medication or physical therapy, while more severe injuries can be fatal. Remember to take your time and stay safe! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://ajemjournal.com/article/S0735-6757(17)30759-3/fulltext
• ↑ https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/article/33/9/36/10271/Safety-pitfalls-Stairs-are-a-leading-cause-of?autologincheck=redirected
• ↑ http://ehstoday.com/ppe/fall-protection/ehs_imp_75425
• ↑ https://www.esd112.org/?mailpoet_router&endpoint=view_in_browser&action=view&data=WzIyMiwiNTMxNmU0MjgwNjlhIiwwLCIiLDI0MCwxXQ
• ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/research/areas-of-research/center-for-injury-research-and-policy/injury-topics/home-safety/stair-safety
• ↑ https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3214.html
• ↑ https://www.childinjurypreventionalliance.org/stair-safety
• ↑ http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/stairs_fallprevention.html
• ↑ http://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx

About This Article

If you’re trying not to fall down stairs, keep them free from clutter and be sure there’s adequate lighting. You should be able to turn lights on from both the top and the bottom of the stairs! Maintain the stair tread by installing non-slip surfaces or keeping the carpet in good condition. Make a habit of wearing shoes with good treads when you’re up and down, and avoid clothing that drags on the floor. When you take the stairs, pay attention to each step, use the handrail, and take your time. If you want to learn how to gate your stairs to prevent falls, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

10 Key Stair Safety Tips to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls

Navigating stairs is an everyday activity that many of us don’t give a second thought. However, stairs can pose significant risks if not approached with caution. Every year, countless individuals experience accidents on staircases, leading to injuries that range from minor bruises to serious fractures or worse. Ensuring the safety of these vertical pathways in our homes, offices, and public spaces is crucial.

In this blog, we will delve into 10 essential stair safety tips that can play a pivotal role in preventing slips, trips, and falls. Whether you’re a homeowner, a business proprietor, or someone who uses stairs regularly, this guide offers invaluable insights to help you tread more safely. Join us as we approach a safer environment, one step at a time.

Common Causes Of Stair Accidents

Stair accidents are unfortunately quite common and can lead to serious injuries. Understanding the most common causes can be essential in prevention. Here are the common causes of stair accidents:

• Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can make it difficult for people to see each step clearly, leading to missteps, trips, and falls.
• Uneven Step Sizes: As mentioned earlier, step height or depth inconsistencies can cause individuals to trip or stumble because they disrupt the expected rhythm of climbing or descending.
• Slippery Surfaces: Certain materials can become slippery, especially when wet or polished. This includes surfaces like polished wood, tile, or marble. Even carpeted stairs can be slippery if the carpet is worn down.
• Lack of Handrails: Stairs without handrails or poorly positioned or broken handrails don’t provide the necessary support and can lead to falls.
• Obstructions: Items left on stairs, such as toys, shoes, or other objects, can easily cause someone to trip.
• Worn or Damaged Steps: Over time, stairs can become worn out, leading to uneven surfaces. Broken or damaged steps can be unexpected obstacles.
• Inadequate Visual Cues: Stairs without clear visual indicators (like contrasting step edges) can be hazardous for those with vision issues.
• Distracted Walking: Engaging in activities like texting, reading, or even deep conversation can distract individuals and lead to missteps.
• Improper Footwear: Shoes without proper grip or support, such as high heels or flip-flops, can increase the risk of slipping or tripping.
• Rushing or Not Paying Attention: Hurrying up or down stairs or not being mindful of one’s surroundings is a common cause of stair-related accidents.
• Intoxication or Medication: Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can impair judgment, balance, and coordination, leading to falls.
• Health Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as balance disorders, vision problems, or leg weakness, can increase the risk of stair accidents.

Understanding these causes can aid in designing, maintaining, and using stairs to minimize accidents and injuries. Safety should always be prioritized, especially in areas like staircases with heightened potential for harm.

Stair Safety Tips to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

Stairs can be a potential hazard if not navigated with care. Here are 10 key stair safety tips to prevent slips, trips, and falls:

1. Proper Lighting

Proper illumination is paramount for stair safety. When a well-lit staircase, each step is visible, reducing the risk of missteps or trips. Having light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs ensures that users can turn on the light regardless of their starting point, negating the need to navigate the staircase in darkness.

Furthermore, motion-activated lighting can be invaluable in cases where someone might be accessing the staircase during nighttime hours—perhaps when they’re groggy or not fully alert. These lights turn on automatically when movement is detected, instantly illuminating the path. Additionally, nightlights can provide a softer glow that can guide individuals without being overly bright, ensuring that the staircase is never plunged into total darkness, even in the dead of night.

2. Handrails

Handrails are not just an accessory for staircases; they are integral to safety. Individuals often rely on handrails for balance and support when ascending or descending a flight of stairs. When a misstep occurs, a strong and reliable handrail can prevent a minor stumble from turning into a serious fall. These handrails must be sturdy and durable, capable of supporting the weight of an adult in case they need to catch themselves.

Furthermore, a handrail that spans the entire length of the staircase ensures that support is available at every point of the journey. The height of the handrail is also a factor; it should be at a level where it’s easily reachable and offers maximum support.

3. Clear Obstructions

Stairs are meant for walking, not storage. Even small objects can pose significant trip hazards when left on a step. Something as seemingly innocent as a child’s toy, a book, or even a stray shoe can become a dangerous obstacle when someone is unaware of its presence on the staircase.

Consistently keeping stairs clear is straightforward, but it can drastically reduce the risk of accidental trips or falls. Regularly checking and clearing the staircase of obstructions ensures the path remains safe for everyone.

4. Non-Slip Surfaces

Staircase materials vary widely—from wood to tile to carpet and more. While some of these materials naturally offer more grip than others, ensuring that every step provides a stable footing is crucial. Non-slip adhesive strips are a practical solution, especially for steps made from smoother materials that may become slippery, particularly when wet.

These strips can be affixed to the edges of each step, providing additional traction where the foot is most likely to land. Additionally, stair treads—covers made from various materials designed to provide grip—can be laid over each step, further increasing the safety of the staircase.

5. Regular Maintenance

Like any other part of a home or building, staircases are subject to wear and tear. Over time, steps can become worn out, or parts of the staircase can break or become loose. Regularly inspecting the staircase allows for the early identification of potential issues.

Addressing these problems promptly—a loose board, a broken step, or another issue—ensures that the staircase remains in top condition. Regular maintenance is not just about aesthetics; it’s a proactive approach to safety, ensuring that every user can trust each step’s integrity.

6. Uniform Step Size

The design and construction of a staircase play a pivotal role in its safety. Each step should be of consistent height and depth across the entire staircase. This uniformity is crucial because our bodies, particularly our legs, and feet, get accustomed to a specific rhythm when ascending or descending stairs. If there’s an unexpected change in step size, it can easily lead to a misstep or trip.

Inconsistencies can be particularly jarring, disrupting the established rhythm, catching us off-guard and potentially leading to accidents. Therefore, particular attention must be paid during construction or remodeling to ensure that every step is consistent with its counterparts.

7. Visual Contrast

Vision plays a major role in safely navigating stairs. For those with vision impairments or the elderly, differentiating between individual steps can sometimes be challenging. Adding a visual contrast, such as painting the edges of steps with a color that stands out from the main step, can significantly enhance visibility. This contrast acts as a guide, clearly indicating where one step ends and the next begins, which can be particularly beneficial in low-light conditions or for those who struggle with depth perception.

8. Sturdy Footwear

The choice of footwear can significantly influence safety on stairs. Shoes that offer a good grip can prevent slips, especially on surfaces that might be smooth or slick. High heels or shoes with worn-out soles can pose a risk, as they might not offer the necessary stability.

Furthermore, avoiding navigating stairs with just socks on is advisable, especially if the staircase is made of wood or tile. Socks can be surprisingly slippery on these surfaces, and without the additional grip that shoes provide, there’s an increased risk of slipping.

9. Avoid Distractions

Stairs require our attention. Engaging in activities like reading, texting on a mobile phone, or carrying large objects obstructing our view can divert our focus from safely navigating the staircase. When distracted, we’re more likely to miss a step or not notice potential hazards, like an object left on the stairs. Giving stairs our full attention is always advisable, ensuring that we’re aware of our surroundings and reducing the likelihood of accidents.

10. Child and Pet Safety

Staircases can be particularly hazardous for young children and pets, who might not have the same level of coordination or awareness as adults. Installing safety gates at both the top and bottom of stairs is a preventive measure to stop them from accessing the stairs without supervision. These barriers act as a physical deterrent, ensuring that even if a child or pet is curious about the stairs, they can’t easily access them.

Alongside these precautions, educating children about the potential dangers of stairs is crucial. By teaching them the importance of not playing on or near staircases and always using handrails, we can instill safe habits from a young age.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, stair safety might not always be at the forefront of our minds. Yet, the repercussions of overlooking it can be dire. Slips, trips, and falls on staircases account for numerous injuries each year, many of which could be easily prevented by adhering to the essential guidelines we’ve discussed. We can dramatically reduce the risk of accidents by ensuring well-lit staircases, uniform step sizes, and clear paths and educating ourselves and our loved ones about the importance of cautious navigation.

Remember, the staircase is not just a physical structure connecting different levels; it’s a space that demands our attention and respect. Let’s prioritize safety in every step, ensuring that each ascent and descent is as secure as possible. After all, with the right precautions in place, we can ensure that every journey, no matter how short, is safe.

Hashim Mirza

Get More Inspiration & Our Latest News

Stay informed and protected with our exclusive updates delivered right to your inbox.

Welcome to the must-read blog for professionals in the health and safety field. Dive into the universe of health and safety with our enlightening blog crafted for professionals like you.

Quick Links

© Occupational Health and Safety Blog

14 Practical Tips To Stay Safe on the Stairs

Falls, with their potential to cause traumatic injuries, are a serious concern that can have devastating consequences. Among the various hazards that pose a risk to older adults, stairs stand out as particularly treacherous. In fact, a study conducted in the United States has revealed alarming statistics: on average, one million emergency room visits annually are attributed to accidents that occur on staircases, resulting in approximately 12,000 deaths each year.

Considering the potential dangers associated with stairs, it becomes crucial for individuals with elderly loved ones residing in houses equipped with staircases to take proactive measures to ensure their safety. By implementing preventive measures and adopting helpful strategies, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of trips or falls on stairs, enabling older adults to maintain their independence and live safely. In the following sections, we will delve into a range of practical tips designed to make stairs safer for older adults, helping you to create a secure environment for your loved one.

14 Tips to Stay Safe on the Steps!

Alter open tread stairs.

Open-tread stairs are particularly hazardous as they trick the eye and can cause confusion, particularly for those living with dementia. It may not be practical or convenient to completely replace a staircase, but simply boxing in open-tread stairs can make a great difference in improving safety. 

Remove Carpet Runners

To make a stairway safer, replace old and worn stair carpeting and runners with non-slip flooring. More importantly, to avoid issues down the line, be sure to have it installed by a qualified builder. Not only should carpets be properly stretched to prevent sagging and bunching up, but they should also be tightly stretched against the nosing of each step. 

Improve Lighting

Wear Appropriate Footwear

If your loved one experiences any mobility problems, the correct footwear can be helpful, providing excellent grip and support for the feet . Old or worn shoes and slippers should be thrown out and replaced with sturdy and practical footwear with a non-slip sole. 

Keep the Path Clear

Stairs should offer a clear path and be free of clutter . Many people of all ages use the first few stairs as a place to hold items that need to go upstairs eventually. However, these extra piles of laundry or pieces of clutter can be a trip hazard. Instead, keep a basket near the stairs to store those items and have someone else take them up at another time. 

Choose Paint Colors Wisely

For many seniors with compromised vision, it can be hard to tell where one step ends and another step begins. To mitigate the danger, consider painting the stairs in contrasting colors. Alternating between light and dark colors makes each stair more visible, ensuring a  safe passage for your loved ones. Or, add bright-colored tape to the end of each step. However, it's important to ensure the tape does not come undone and present another tripping hazard. 

Add Handrails

The rails should be firmly secured to the wall at elbow height to provide maximum support. Be sure to test that the rails can hold an adult's full body weight without becoming detached from the wall or post. If possible, arrange for the handrail to continue beyond the length of the staircase. 

Adjust the Rise

In some cases, a complete remodel of the staircase can be the best option. If possible, choose stairs that have a lower rise so that you or your loved one doesn't have to step as high to get to the next stair. 

Remove Hazards

Rugs should never be placed close to a staircase as they increase the risk of tripping and falling. Check stairs and steps for any potential dangers, such as items of furniture nearby that could cause your loved one to trip or stumble. Ideally, the route to a staircase should be clear, well-lit, and uncluttered. 

Add Non-Slip Strips

While carpet runners are a tripping hazard, hardwood stairs also make slipping a possibility. To make hardwood stairs safer for seniors, add non-slip strips to the steps. 

Reduce Stair Time

Consider adapting the home's design to reduce the number of times one needs to go up the stairs. For example, a main-level bedroom and bathroom can cut down on the need to go upstairs as often. The fewer trips up the stairs, the lower the risk of falling on them. 

Get a Stairlift

Getting a stairlift is the safest method for seniors to get up and down the stairs. Electric stairlifts can carry you or your family up and down the stairs without the hassle since they are extremely easy to use. Some models on the market can fit not only linear staircases but also curved or spiral staircases. 

Include a Resting Spot

If you have a larger home with a wide staircase, consider adding a comfortable bench on a landing. This can give seniors a helpful break on the way up or down the stairs. 

Improve Balance and Build Strength

This safety measure is related to personal improvement rather than home improvement. Exercises that reduce fall risk while navigating the stairs will focus on basic leg-strengthening exercises. A beneficial exercise routine should include calf raises, mini-lunges, single-leg lifts, and mini-squats. 

Consider these tips to ensure you and your loved ones are safe on a daily basis! Let us know in the comments below - How do you ensure your steps are safe? 

• How to Make Meal Prepping Easy
• How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Sale or Trade-In
• Say Goodbye to Snooze Buttons: 12 Strategies to Wake Up Easier
• Maximizing Fuel Efficiency: Tips for Saving on Gas

Staying Connected: 20 Tips for Keeping in Touch With Old Friends

Connecting with old friends can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Still, it's not always...

Do You Suffer From Seasonal Allergies? 6 Tips

Once a year, plant pollen floats through the air, and seasonal allergies make their attack on...

Senior Home Care 101: What Are Your Options?

Retirement is a time for you to enjoy yourself. Without a job or kids to take care of, you have all...

Calisthenics Workouts for Beginners: Getting Started

If you're a beginner and struggling to choose a workout, we're here to help. Calisthenics is a ...

Home · Blog · Ergonomics : Preventing slips, trips and falls on stairs

Preventing slips, trips and falls on stairs, 10 march, 2021.

Key points:

•  Falls on stairs are common, and often lead to serious injuries.

•  Falls on stairs are often complex – there are multiple possible factors that can cause a fall.

•  Many stair incidents can easily be prevented, and remedial solutions implemented at minimal cost.

•  Ultimately, however, steps and stairs should be designed and built properly, consistent with regulations and common practice, having regard for their purpose and use.

The ubiquitous steps and stairs found in all places of the community present a common fall risk. Each year in Australia, thousands of people are injured in their workplace, home or in a public space due to a fall involving stairs. While most of these injuries are preventable, it remains a fact that such incidents can and do often result in serious injuries or even death.

There are a number of factors that may contribute to a fall on stairs, including design, construction and use. This article will outline some of those factors to look out for when considering the safety of a set of stairs, and suggest practical ways that you can minimise risk of injury.

This advice is necessarily of a general nature only; we recommend that you obtain expert advice if the risk of a fall incident is high. If you are a manager or business owner, it is your legal responsibility to make sure stairs in your workplace are as safe as is reasonably practicable for you to make them.

What commonly causes falls on stairs?

Most falls on stairs occur due to one of the following:

• Slips occur when a person loses traction with the stair surface. The most common causes of slips, therefore, are insufficiently slip-resistant tread surfaces (e.g., surfaces that are highly polished, wet, worn carpet, smooth paint or greasy).
• Tripping occurs when a person unexpectedly catches their foot on part of the stairs. Typically, the objects that a stair user will trip on are small and unobtrusive such as a small lip, or a damaged “nosing” (the step edge). A trip can also occur due to inconsistent step sizing – we rely on uniformity in stairs, and can literally be “tripped up” when it is not provided.
• Mis-stepping occurs when a person oversteps a step or otherwise does not land one of their feet on the next level in the position expected. Our gait (the study of how we walk) is a fragile thing, and it is surprisingly easy to disturb it. Such mis-stepping incidents can often also occur due to dimensional inconsistencies, lack of contrast at the step edges, visual or lighting issues. They can also be caused by damaged steps or poorly maintained steps.

How to minimise slip, trips and falls on stairs

To minimise the risk of a slip or trip and fall on stairs, below are some key things to consider about stair safety, whether it is in a home, workplace or community space.

• Step geometry, the dimension of riser and goings (see diagram below) should be within acceptable limits – the National Construction Code provides a useful table of advice in this regard. “Riser and going” (step rise and run) dimensions should be constant through the flight.
• Is the stairway/stairwell well lit? Long established Australian Standards for lighting provide guidance for a whole host of usage situations.
• Is there good contrast along each the step edge? Is it easy to see that there is a step, and where it’s edge is?
• Is the surface material on the stairs slippery in either wet or dry conditions? Is it exposed to an area likely to get wet or greasy? Is it worn or contaminated with some other material, like powders? Are there surface irregularities? Does it give good traction? Australian Standards for surface slip resistance prescribe minimum requirements for surface coefficients.
• Is the nosing (the front edge of the step, see Figure 1 below) worn, raised and lifted (if there is a strip added) or showing signs of wear? Are there areas where a stair user’s toe or heel could catch?
• Are there handrails? Do they extend the full length of the stairs?
• Avoid single steps where possible – they can hide in plain sight.

Figure 1 – typical stair properties.

There are other behavioural factors that contribute to falls on stairs, like user fatigue, drug and alcohol use, distraction, carrying heavy or large loads, or sun in the eyes.

As independent safety and ergonomics experts, Dohrmann Consulting have investigated a diverse range of incidents involving stairs, and have also worked extensively with stair designers in ensuring designs meet the appropriate building codes and standards.

We leverage our experience gained from regularly providing expert opinion in stair incidents.  

Free ‘Falls on Stairs’ Checklist

We have developed a ‘Falls on Stairs’ checklist that is intended to provide an investigator with guidance as to what to look for and what to ask an injured person when a fall on stairs has occurred. To obtain a copy of this checklist, please click here .

Download Falls on Stairs checklist

You may also be interested in the following information and resources:

• National Construction Code (NCC) Compliance: Expert Safety Advice and Performance Solutions
• Preliminary expert liability advice for legal practitioners
• How to minimise the most common workplace injuries in Australia

Discuss your requirements with an expert – obligation free.

•  Like
•  Tweet

Related Stories

A Guide to achieving Compliance with NCC Performance Requirements.

06 december, 2023.

Ergonomic design of Control Centres

27 september, 2023.

Human Factors & Ergonomics in Aviation Maintenance.

13 july, 2023.

Why we do not recommend ‘how to lift’ training.

25 january, 2023.

Engaging a safety specialist to minimise and manage risks.

10 november, 2022.

Mark Dohrmann AM – Appointed a Fellow of Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA).

19 october, 2022.

Assessing a product failure: Determining liability

10 october, 2022.

Managing the risk of falls at the workplace

15 september, 2022.

5 Ways To Prevent Falls, Slips, And Trips On Your Staircase

Home » 5 Ways To Prevent Falls, Slips, And Trips On Your Staircase

Stairs can help you go to other floors of a building structure. However, it’s also one of the reasons why you and other people trip, fall or slip. In worse-case scenarios, one can even sustain irreparable injuries. Moreover, disabled and elderly individuals are more prone to accidents from falling on stairs.

Ensuring Staircase Safety

The need to install and build stairs with strict precautionary measures should be implemented at all times for a quality structure. However, the reason for falling doesn’t always lie in the design of stairs alone. There are multiple factors involved, but incidents could be prevented.

These tips could help you avoid stair-related accidents:

Follow Stair Codes

One of the first things you should consider is to follow uniformity and standard codes of building stairs. Although some countries have stair codes that provide general guidance when installing a staircase, you should strictly comply with it.

You should prioritize consistency as a vital factor during construction and planning to help ensure safety. When constructing a staircase, each step must be uniform with one another. A slight change in height can cause the user to trip or fall over because people using the staircase will have consistent steps throughout.

In some cases, one step lower than the other may cause a fear of falling. The panicked feeling causes the person to react in an unsafe manner, resulting in the person tripping. Hence, you should consider a uniformed staircase.

Some cities and countries have International Building Code (IBC) required for uniform measurements. IBC commercial stair codes make sure establishments like hospitals and medical institutions have shorter steps to lessen the burden of the elderly and sick.

Also, the codes will stipulate specific handrails and measurements. Some will require the use of safety stickers to ensure visibility and traction. In cases where establishments don’t follow building codes or stair codes, the city will immediately instruct a renovation to ensure its citizens’ safety.

Add Lighting

Following proper stair codes is only the beginning to keep your stairs safe. Visibility can eliminate risk in any situation most of the time. That’s why your stairs must be well-lit to make sure it’ll be easy to see where you’re stepping at. It’d also be helpful if natural light can pass by for further lighting.

If there are uneven parts, the visibility will allow you to notice and react accordingly. However, when adding lights , you must give importance to contrast not only for aesthetic purposes. Using the shade can provide depth to each step, helping you and other individuals who don’t have good depth perception.

Also, make sure the style you’re using doesn’t deter the main point of installing lights. When placing the light on a stairway, check all the angles to avoid glaring because it can reduce visibility. Hence, make sure the height is adequate in providing light while avoiding random glares.

Don’t Forget Handrails

Aside from proper lighting, you should also create handrails to assist staircases in providing balance. Since balance prevents you from falling over or slipping from the stairs, installing these railings will immediately remove such risk.

These rails will become a grip point where you grab and hold yourself in position. Furthermore, you can use the grip to assist yourself up the stairs if you’re too tired or dizzy.

You might think it’s unnecessary for shorter stairways. However, keep in mind you’re not the only one using the stairs. Moreover, this will help you or your loved ones safely use the stairs.

Maintain It

Even if you’ve followed the stair codes, add lighting, and handrails, your staircase will still be at risk of accidents if you don’t maintain them properly.

Stairways, like any other part of the house, will be prone to wear and tear. It’s your job to maintain these stairs. An improperly maintained stairway would consist of broken or dirty steps, which can cause unpredictable events leading to injury.

You must clean your stairs at least once a week, or as needed, since dirt and grime attached to each step can cause loss of grip and traction, causing slips or falls. Wiping the handrails is important since a lot of people are touching them. Make sure to clean it regularly to prevent germs from spreading.

Also, check your stairs for broken parts as these steps can prevent anyone from using them appropriately, causing them to skip a step, which is unsafe. Not to mention if it breaks under your foot, you’ll indeed be in trouble. Check if there are loose metals or faulty areas, and have them fixed by your contractor.

Use Anti-Slip Tapes

To keep your stairs safer, you can also add anti-slip tapes. Most stairways have built-in anti-slip features to increase friction and avoid slips. However, these features can fade away over time, especially when the people walking have wet footwear.

That’s why many manufacturers combined the convenience of tape with traction-rich materials to create anti-slip tapes. You can use these tapes to provide quick solutions for areas requiring high friction and avoid slippage.

These tapes come with industrial-strength adhesive to ensure it sticks to the surface it attaches itself to. The adhesives can also handle extremes in temperatures, making them ideal for any climate. Place it on the edge of your steps to catch the foot when using the stairs.

When dealing with a stairway’s safety, it’s essential to get it right the first time to avoid any accidents. When you do this, there’ll be no need to reevaluate the steps and further accidents won’t happen again.

That’s why it’s essential to follow stair codes set by your state. Since you now know how consistency can prevent accidents on stairways, inform your contractor and ensure their quality of work. If it’s too late and your stairs have been built, you can add steps to mitigate the risk.

You can also add ample lighting to increase visibility when walking through the steps. Place anti-slip tape to ensure the grip of the surface area, and take the necessary precautions to prevent accidents.

You may also like

Heating System Design for Your Small Home: 10 Things to Consider

Party Wall Agreements for Loft Conversions: A Detailed Guide

6 Ways To Get Your House Winter Ready

Consider These 8 Points When Arranging Your New Home’s Plumbing

6 Reasons Why Having A Plan Is Essential When Building A Facility

Identify 4 Common Issues in Poor Rain Gutter Installation

Be first to comment click here to cancel reply., cancel reply, more stories.

Choosing the Best Roofing Option for a Tiny Home

One of the most essential parts of a tiny house is the roofing. It serves a huge purpose because it’s the barrier that protects…

How to Prevent People from Tripping on Stairs

It happens to a lot of people. One minute you think that you’ve seen the first rise in the staircase, and then the next minute you’re writhing in pain because you stubbed your toe. But, if you think about it, a stubbed toe is a whole lot better than falling forward on the steps of a staircase.

This is the danger of climbing a staircase that isn’t as visible to the eye. Many people fail to gauge their distance from the first step because they can’t see it clearly. So, if you’re building commercial stairs in Melbourne or if you want to report to your company that you stubbed your toe at the office stairs, you should keep in mind that visible steps are the key to preventing injuries.

Here’s how you can do that.

Clean the steps first

Before you start putting on visibility strips or any other marker on your staircase, make sure that you clean it first. According to experts, clean surfaces tend to have greater contrast, so they’re easier to be seen by the naked eye. Remove all the dirt, rubble, grease, and smudges on your stairs.

Light it up

The next step is to set up proper lighting in the staircase . Some people prefer to keep the light in the hallways and staircase the same to have a uniformed effect. But in doing so, it might be hard for some people to notice the change in elevation or formation of the surface they’re walking on.

What you can do is increase the wattage of the light bulbs in the staircase. This way, people will notice a slight change to the intensity of the light and perhaps make them focus more on what the light is trying to illuminate.

If you’re going to choose a light bulb, go with a low glare type and install it overhead, directly focusing on the steps. This way, the light won’t cast shadows on the stair treads and the nosing, which is often the part of the stairs where people trip on.

Contrast the nosing

The nosing of the stairs is often the danger area of the staircase. Many people trip over this part of the stairs because they fail to gauge its distance from them. Some experts say that one of the probable reasons for this is that some stairs are uniformed in colour, making it hard to see clearly the nosing.

Paint the nosing a different colour to make it stand out from the rest of the step. Pick a colour that will contrast with the colour of the step and use that to paint the nosing.

Put up a sign

Finally, the surest way to let people know that they’re about to either climb up a flight of stairs or climb down is to put up a sign that will tell them so. Installing a sign near the stairs will immediately alert people that they’re about to ascend or descend. So they’ll be more careful with their step.

Visibility is important when it comes to climbing up or down the stairs. One trip can lead to an injury or something even worse. Make sure that you implement the steps above in order to prevent any accidents.

About The Author

Howard Fienberg

• Conditionally
• Newsletter Signup

A Sweaty Stair Workout That Takes Just 20 Minutes

By Jenny McCoy, C.P.T.

If your cardio routine has been feeling a little blah lately, you can shake things up with a sweaty stair workout.

Using a set of steps in your home, apartment building, or an uncrowded public area for a stair workout can be a great way to combine total-body strengthening, cardio, explosive power, balance, and coordination. You can do it at home if you have access to stairs—which makes it a safe choice during the new coronavirus pandemic —and you don’t need any additional equipment. All you need is your bodyweight.

A flight of stairs is a wonderful tool that lets you get in a great workout without going to the gym , Janet Hamilton, CSCS, exercise physiologist, and running coach with Running Strong in Atlanta, tells SELF.

So if you’re not a runner or a cyclist (or are just looking for a fresh new kind of cardio routine), read on to find out how to turn a set of stairs into a challenging workout—and why you should definitely give it a try.

The benefits of a stair workout

If you’ve ever just walked up a flight of stairs, you know it can get your heart rate up, fast. But what makes stair workouts—even short ones—feel so freaking hard? The answer is simple: gravity.

Compared with walking or running on level ground, walking or running up a flight of stairs places more load on the muscles in your lower half, namely your quads, glutes, hamstrings , and calves, says Hamilton. That’s because as you ascend a staircase, gravity is trying to pull you back down, and your muscles have to work extra hard to overcome that resistance. It’s the same reason running, hiking, or biking up a hill feels more intense—and jacks up your heart rate more—than covering the same distance on a flat trail.

“Going up steps is definitely more stressful on the body,” certified exercise physiologist DeAnne Davis Brooks , Ed.D, CSCS, an associate professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and USATF Level 1 track coach, tells SELF. “It’s higher intensity than walking on level ground.”

Stair workouts can also be really versatile. Depending on how fast and intensely you climb, you can emphasize strength (especially if you pepper in moves that use the bottom steps as an elevated platform—like push-ups, dips, planks, split squats, calf raises, and mountain climbers), cardio, or a combo of the two. The fact that stair workouts can deliver both strength and cardio make them a good bang-for-your-buck workout tool, says Brooks.

And you can do more than just walking or running up and down them: Adding squat jumps up stairs can train explosive power (similar to doing a box jump from one step to the next—you’d just want to make sure the steps you’re using are wide enough that you can easily land with both feet firmly planted). Or climbing stairs sideways grapevine-style (face the railing, hold on to it for balance, and repeatedly cross one leg in front of the other, then behind) can challenge your coordination and work your muscles laterally, strengthening your inner and outer thigh muscles, says Brooks.

To add one more benefit to the list: Stair workouts demand—and train—some serious balance, since “the base of support is changing and shifting as you’re moving,” explains Brooks. (Secondary bonus: You won’t be tempted to zone out during these workouts, since you’ll need to focus to keep your balance on point.)

The number of stairs you need for a good stair workout isn’t that important, say Brooks and Hamilton. Simply work with what you’ve got. If you have only a short staircase, well, you’ll just go up and down them a few more times than if you had a longer one.

For a solid cardio workout, Hamilton suggests doing sets of three to five minutes of continuous climbing and descending followed by one minute (or more) of recovery. Then repeat that pattern for as long as you need to feel like you’ve gotten in a quality sweat session—beginners can start with just one set and build from there, suggests Hamilton. If you’re tackling several flights of stairs, Hamilton suggests climbing at a steady effort and then jogging back down. More advanced exercisers can increase their pace (try jogging, running, or even sprinting up the stairs) and extend the working time of each set, she says.

If you want to train quickness, you can run up the stairs as fast as possible without skipping any steps. Or if you’re looking to develop explosive power, you can run up the stairs as fast as possible while skipping one or two steps, says Brooks. By lifting your bodyweight a significant distance (two or three stairs at a time, compared with just one) at a fast pace, you’re combining work and speed, which makes this a power-centric move, explains Brooks. But if you’re looking for more strength and endurance, you could slow down the speed at which you descend steps to create a controlled, eccentric contraction in your quads, adds Brooks. Or you can vary the way you climb or descend—like the grapevine style mentioned above—to change up the load a little bit, which challenges your muscles differently, says Hamilton.

To make it more than just a cardio workout, you can add in some bodyweight strength-training moves—in many cases, you can easily adjust the difficulty of moves by altering your body positioning and/or the number of steps you’re using. With planks , side planks, and push-ups, for example, you can stand at the bottom of the staircase and place your hands several steps above to make the move beginner-friendly, says Hamilton. The higher your place your hands up the staircase, the easier the move will be. Or you can crank up the challenge by placing your hands on the floor before the first step and raising your feet up a step or two higher behind you.

With dips, you can bend your knees to make things easier, or to up the intensity, you can straighten your legs in front of you so that just your heels touch the ground. For an even greater challenge, lift one leg off the ground, suggests Hamilton. Stairs are also great for heel raises, which strengthen your calves and the muscles around your ankles, says Brooks. And doing heel raises on a step (versus flat ground) allows you to achieve a greater range of motion, she adds.

Be extra careful if you’re using stairs where the tread (the part that your foot lands on) hangs over the riser (the vertical part of the step). You’re more likely to trip on this type of step, warns Hamilton. You should also pay attention to your foot placement, says Brooks, who recommends planting your entire foot on each step.

By Jenna Ryu

By Maressa Brown

By Lizzy Briskin

If you’re new to stair workouts, put your hand on the railing as you climb and descend for added support and balance, says Hamilton. You’ll still get a great workout with this extra help, and if/when you feel confident enough, you can switch to a hands-free approach. Using the railing for support is also a good idea when you’re attempting more challenging moves, like the ones mentioned above.

Because you can trip going up or down stairs if you’re not careful, it’s important to stay mentally engaged during a stair workout. “When you get tired in particular, you do have to focus, or you can bite the dust,” says Brooks.

So if your form starts faltering or you are struggling to stay balanced, ease up the intensity of your stair workout. If you’re having a hard time running up steps, for example, switch to jogging or walking. Then if you’re still struggling, stop your stair workout and either move to flat ground or just call it a day, says Brooks: “You don't want to push through on the flight of stairs where you can really fall and have a serious injury.”

That’s why it’s also important to practice any moves at a slow, controlled pace before trying them in a workout. With squat jumps, for example, practice jumping one step at a time and return to the base of the staircase in between each attempt, suggests Hamilton. Once you’ve completely mastered that movement, you can jump up the staircase one step at a time, returning to the base of the staircase in between each attempt, she says. These are advanced movements, so you should attempt them on stairs only if you’re really confident in your body awareness and balance on stairs when doing less advanced moves, like jogging.

Also, if any part of your stair workout causes pain (we’re talking about sharp, acute pain—not the sensation of muscles working), that’s a sign that something isn’t right. Maybe your form is off, you’ve pushed yourself too far, or you’re not yet at the needed fitness level for the move you’re attempting. Try tweaking your form or regressing the move (like, switch to walking instead of jogging). If the pain continues, stop what you’re doing immediately. “Don't push through pain,” says Hamilton. “You're rarely going to get rewarded for that.”

In general, if you have a history of knee pain or injury, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor or physical therapist before doing a stair workout. And if your balance is compromised, you should skip stair workouts altogether, adds Brooks.

A 20-minute sweaty stair workout

What you’ll need: A set of stairs and your bodyweight. (Make sure you are wearing sturdy athletic shoes.)

Directions: Perform the following sequence straight through with no rest (though of course take breaks if you feel like you can’t catch your breath or your form is faltering). This workout is intended to be a strength-slash-aerobic workout, so in terms of intensity, your heart rate should climb, but you don’t want to feel like you're gasping for air, says Hamilton. If that’s the case, take a break or dial down the intensity. Work at whatever pace you need.

For the nontimed moves, do as many reps as needed to feel like you’ve taxed your muscles, but stop before you lose your ability to maintain proper form. That may mean five, or it could mean 20 (or more). Again, work within your level. As mentioned above, you can adjust the difficulty of the dips, planks, and push-ups by changing where you place your hands and feet.

This workout will take about 20 minutes, though exact time will vary based on how long you do the bodyweight moves. You don’t need to do a warm-up beforehand because this workout has one built in. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the more advanced moves (like grapevine and squat jump), just walk or jog instead.

• Climb and descend for three minutes. Go at whatever pace you need to get your heart rate up without feeling like you’re gasping for air.
• Elevated push-ups to fatigue.
• Grapevine up and down for three minutes. Be sure to switch your lead leg every time you return to the bottom of the staircase so that you work both sides evenly.
• Dips to fatigue.
• Climb and descend for three minutes. Again, go at whatever pace you need to get your heart rate up without feeling like you’re gasping for air.
• Elevated plank for 15 to 45 seconds.
• Climb and descend for three minutes at the same moderate intensity pace.
• Elevated side plank for 15 to 45 seconds on each side.
• Squat jump up; walk down. Continue for three minutes.
• 3 Jump Rope Workouts That Will Make You Love At-Home Cardio
• When Is It OK to Start Exercising After Recovering From Coronavirus?
• 22 Super-Soothing Stretching Workouts on YouTube

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

• Skip to main content

• Find a Lawyer
• You've been hurt. Now what?
• Do I have a claim?
• Finding the best attorney to represent you
• Dealing with Insurance
• Laws by State
• Car accident
• Truck Accident
• Workplace injury
• Wrongful death
• Common work injuries
• Finding the best workers’ comp lawyers
• How workers’ comp benefits work
• Personal injury vs. workers’ compensation
• Spinal Cord/Column
• Brain Injury
• Occupational injuries
• Questions & Answers
• Tell Your Story
• Forms and Worksheets
• For Students
• Become a Partner
• Join lawyer directory
• Compare plans and features
• Guest blogging for attorneys
• Enjuris Excellence badge

Stair Accidents: Statistics, Liability and Slip and Fall Lawsuits

Can I sue for falling down the stairs?

More than 1 million people in the United States are treated in emergency rooms for stair-related injuries every year. If you fell down the stairs on someone else’s property, you may be able to sue the property owner to recover medical expenses and other damages.

Let’s take a look at stair-related accidents and when a personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate.

Common causes of staircase accidents

Some people fall down stairs because they’re not paying attention or they’re moving too fast. But more often than not, people fall down stairs because of some condition that’s present on the stairs or in the stairwell.

Here are some common causes of staircase accidents:

• Slippery surfaces. Certain surfaces, such as worn carpet or highly-polished wood, are particularly slippery. The mathematical term used to describe the slipperiness of a surface is “coefficient of friction” (COF). A low COF indicates that the force required for sliding to occur is less (in other words, it’s easier to slip) than the force required when the COF is high.
• Icy, snow, or other liquid substances. Liquid substances on steps and landings can cause serious slip and fall accidents. In most cases, residential and commercial property owners have a duty to remove ice and snow from steps within a reasonable amount of time. 
• Poor lighting. Poor lighting in stairways and stairwells can make it difficult to see obstructions, hazards, and foot clearances. One study indicates that compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs when first turned on do not provide adequate lighting and high-powered LED bulbs may be a safer alternative.
• Inadequate handrails. When handrails are loose, the wrong height, or missing altogether, falls become more likely. Most states have building codes that address handrail requirements.
• Stair height and depth. Tread depths and riser heights all impact how easily a person can navigate a staircase. Most states have building code requirements that address stair height and depth.
• Other hazards. We’ve all encountered uneven steps, missing steps, warped wood, or some other condition that makes navigating stairs a little more difficult.

Common injuries from falling down stairs

A study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and found that 24 million patients were treated in emergency departments for stair-related injuries during a 23-year period.

The most common types of injuries were:

• Sprains and strains (32.3%)
• Soft tissue injuries (23.8%)
• Fractures (19.3%)

The most frequently injured body regions were:

• Lower extremities (42.1%)
• Head/neck (21.6%)

Fortunately, almost 94% of patients were treated and released from the hospital, but 6% were admitted for treatment of fractures or head injuries.

“Stairs are a common source of injury among all ages, and the frequency and rate of stair-related injuries are increasing,” said Dr. Gary Smith of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Although anyone can fall down the stairs, adults over age 85 and children under 3 years old have the highest rate of stair-related injuries.

When to see a doctor after a fall

It’s never a bad idea to get checked out by a doctor after falling down the stairs. However, there are certain symptoms that may indicate a serious condition. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should get yourself to the emergency room as soon as possible:

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure
• Obvious fracture
• Loss of feeling in any of the extremities
• Difficulty speaking

When can you file a lawsuit for falling down stairs?

To file a lawsuit against a property owner for falling down their stairs, you need to prove that the property owner or their employee was responsible for your fall (through their actions or inactions).

For example, you probably can’t file a lawsuit if you fell down the stairs at a restaurant because you were intoxicated, but you can probably file a lawsuit if you fell down the stairs because 1 of the wooden steps at the restaurant was broken.

In most states, premises liability laws and building codes require property owners to keep stairs in a reasonably safe condition. Just how safe depends on the type of property. For example, commercial establishments must generally keep their stairs in a safer condition than residential homeowners.

To hold a property owner legally responsible for your injuries, you have to prove 1 of the following:

• The owner of the property (or their employee) caused the dangerous condition (spill, broken step, etc.) that caused you to fall,
• The owner of the property (or their employee) knew of the dangerous condition but failed to do anything about it, or
• The owner of the property (or their employee) should have known of the dangerous condition because a reasonable person would have discovered the condition and removed or repaired it.

Let’s take a look at an example:

In this example, the restaurant would likely be held liable for Angela’s damages because the restaurant knew about the dangerous condition and failed to do anything about it.

On the other hand, if the restaurant wasn’t told about the broken step and the step had been broken just minutes before Angela fell, the restaurant probably wouldn’t be held liable because the restaurant could not reasonably be expected to know about and repair a dangerous condition so soon after it appeared.

The role of insurance in stair accidents

If you fall on the steps of residential property because of a dangerous condition, your medical expenses will probably be covered by the homeowner's insurance liability policy. Similarly, if you fall on the steps of a commercial establishment, your injuries will probably be covered by the commercial establishment’s commercial general liability policy.

The fact that insurance coverage may exist means you stand a better chance of receiving compensation for your injuries. However, you’ll still need to prove liability, as insurance companies have insurance defense lawyers ready to contest your claim.

What to do after you fall down stairs

If you fall down the stairs on someone else’s property, there are a few steps you can take to improve your chances of recovering damages down the road:

• Get medical attention. Your health should always be your top priority. What’s more, seeking medical attention right after a fall makes it more difficult for the defendant to argue that you weren’t seriously hurt as a result of the fall.
• Take photographs. Photographs of the scene of the fall, especially the dangerous condition that caused the fall, may help support your case down the road. The more pictures you take, the better. In addition to the dangerous condition, take pictures that capture the amount of light (or lack of light) and the signs (or lack of signs) in the area.
• Gather witness contact information. Did anyone see you fall? Write down their name, telephone number, and address. It’s also a good idea to write down the names of the employees working at the time of your fall, assuming you can do so safely.

Finally, if you suffered an injury as a result of falling down someone else’s stairs, it’s a good idea to reach out to a personal injury attorney. Most initial consultations are free and you can find an attorney in your area using our free online directory . 

Connect to top-rated lawyers in seconds using our comprehensive national directory.

• Search for:
• 877-328-7389
• (0) $ 0.00

• Aluminum Nosings
• Aluminum Treads
• Grit Treads
• ClearGrip Vinyl Treads
• ClearGrip Vinyl Tape
• Shower & Bath Products
• Accessories
• Stop-the-Slip Publications
• Stop-The-Slip
• Other Rooms & Spaces
• Property Management
• Porches & Decks
• Natural Wood
• Ceramic Tile
• Stop-the-Slip Solutions Configurator
• HandiTreads Aluminum Treads
• HandiTreads Aluminum Nosings
• Grit Tape & Grit Treads
• Shower & Bath Vinyl Mats & Strips

No products in the cart.

SLIP & FALL PROBLEMS AREAS ON STAIRS

4% of all emergency room visits and 15% of fall-related injuries occur on stairs or in conjunction with handrails or banisters. That’s a fairly staggering number considering many able-bodied people use stairs daily. It can also be a frightening number to homeowners with multiple-story homes and business owners who value the safety of their customers and employees. 

While most injuries happen when going down the stairs, many people become injured after missing their footing while going up the stairs.  The issue is further complicated as the length, construction, and placement of stairways can vary greatly.  While building codes often dictate the rise and run of stairs, older staircases and those not built to code create unique problems.

Stairs can be made of basic lumber, finished hardwood, glass, composite material, metal, or concrete.  They can be carpeted, covered in polished stone, painted, or unpainted.  Because this category is so broad, it is best to categorize the process of reducing slips and falls into prevention and mitigation.

View Stop the Slip Products in Use

Many times, people will wait until an accident occurs, like a fall that sends you to the ER, before taking fall prevention seriously. Like most things, no one thinks it will happen to them until it does. Recognizing unsafe behaviors can go a long way in preventing injuries on stairs. Some of the most accessible ways to prevent stairway injuries are to: 

• Use Handrails When Available: When using stairs without a handrail, we’ll often have only a single foot, which is only a single point of contact, on the stairs. A hand on the rail provides another point of contact, increasing stability and providing a way to recover should we start to fall. Handrails are so effective in reducing injury that many businesses mandate the use of handrails in their safety manuals. This also makes it evident that no one should be running up and down the stairway, as the movement of the arms interferes with the use of the handrail. 
• Make Smart Footwear Choices: Worn-out shoes, slippery soles, high heels, clothing that falls below foot level, untied shoelaces, and wearing only socks all contribute to unsafe situations. While we’ve all experienced how slippery socks can be on hardwood floors and stairs, we continue this unsafe behavior because wearing socks is a simple solution to cold feet. A small change, such as a warm pair of slippers with nonslip soles, can make all the difference. In industrial environments, it is critical that all employees wear proper footwear like steel-toe boots with adequate traction on the soles to provide proper stability on stairs. 
• Be Careful When Carrying Items: Carrying anything on the stairs increases your risk of an accident. Your attention is split between what you’re holding and where you are walking.  Your weight distribution and balance are affected, and the greater physical effort can result in missteps. Because your hands aren’t available to hold onto the handrails, your view of the stairs may be blocked by the object you’re carrying.  Carrying children down stairs results in about five thousand child injuries a year. In fact, children who are injured when being carried are more severely injured than those who fall on their own. If you have to carry something on the stairs, focus on carrying things safely. Making multiple trips with smaller and lighter loads will make you safer. Employees in a retail or industrial location might be required to carry supplies up and down a stairway, so it is vital that company policy enforces proper footwear and encourages increased awareness when walking on stairs. 
• Keep Stairs Clean: Keep your stairs clear of clutter and clean up spills immediately. Waiting until later can result in accidents. Stairways in manufacturing environments can easily become covered in debris like dust, metal shavings, or water. It is crucial to have a system in place that ensures the proper and regular cleaning of these stairways. Stairways in residential environments can also be slowly consumed with items like folded clothes waiting to go upstairs, but in order to avoid creating any slip and fall hazards, it is essential to keep the stairway clear. 
• Install Handrails: Stairs should have a well-secured handrail, if at all possible. Using a handrail while ascending or descending stairs adds a second point of stability that will often allow you to “catch” a slip before it becomes a fall. Don’t overlook locations with just one or two steps, like a transition between your home and garage or the entrance to a business. In commercial environments, handrails are a must on any steps or ramps. You can purchase and learn more about commercial handrails at Handiramp.com
• Repair or Replace Worn or Cracked Steps: Take care of problems right away. If you notice loose, uneven, cracked, or broken steps; broken or chipped stair edges; and nosings (front-edge guards) that are bent and do not lie flat, address these issues as quickly as possible. By maintaining stairs properly, or retrofitting them with tread caps like our HandiTreads nosings , you can minimize the risk posed by the physical deterioration of stair treads. HandiTreads aluminum stair treads and nosings prevent slips, trips, and falls by increasing the traction on the step while also increasing the structural integrity of the steps. 
• Ensure Stairs Have a Standard Rise and Run: A standard step has a 7-inch rise with an 11-inch-wide run. We expect this—our muscle memory is trained for this pattern. A serious design flaw, such as stair riser height that var­ies on the same set of stairs, can mean that we are tak­en by surprise and our balance is affected. Stairs that have a higher than average rise will cause us to stumble. A lower-than-average rise will require a lot of extra steps and will feel unnatural. Stair treads that are too narrow provide too little space to properly place our feet, and treads that are too wide create an unnatural gait and require extra concentration to keep from landing on the stair edge.
• Anticipate Weather Conditions: If the stairway or steps at your home or business are located outdoors, they will be exposed to elements like rain, snow, frost, and even mold. These conditions can cause stairs to become dangerous slip and fall hazards. The best way to prevent injuries due to slips, trips, and falls on outdoor stairways and steps is to install anti-slip products that will help provide continuous traction. HandiTreads are a permanent anti-slip solution that provides slip, trip, and fall prevention in virtually any weather condition. With their patented raised-button traction surface, the treads create a solid contact between shoe and stair tread in rain, sleet, and even up to one inch of snow. If there is a large amount of snow accumulated on the stairway, you can remove it using a snow shovel, unlike with grit tape or rubber treads. Unlike other anti-slip products, HandiTreads provide slip and fall protection throughout the year in all weather conditions and have a lifetime residential warranty. 

Stop the Slip Stairs – Installation Gallery

• residential

Your Cart is Empty

• Stop the Slip
• Concrete Ramps
• Pressure Treated Wood Stairs
• Synthetic or Composite Wood Stairs
• Wood Wheelchair Ramps
• Commercial Locations
• Industrial Locations
• Government Locations
• Aluminum Non-Slip Treads
• Aluminum Non-Slip Nosings
• ClearGrip Treads & Tape
• Grit Tape & Treads
• Shower & Bath Mats & Strips

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

Woman’s 3-Step Process Will Have the Stairs Cleaned Without Making Multiple Trips

I f you love a clean space but hate cleaning because of all the time it takes to actually complete everything, correctly, then it's time you got a better system in place. After all, NOT cleaning isn't an option, right? If you're not living a Fresh Prince call-up-Geoffrey life or able to get the kids to do it for ya, then the best way to approaching cleaning is to find ways to make the process faster without compromising on thoroughness. CleanSnob Cleaning Specialist just shared a tip for getting your wooden stairs cleaned without making or taking  multiple trips down the stairs to get it done. It's fast but is it effective? 

Related: CleanTok Reveals Quick Process for Degreasing Cabinets Without Damaging Them

Cleaning staircases with wooden or laminate flooring can be daunting even if the process itself is simple.

My process involves me sweeping the entire staircase first (sometimes, I do it twice), dusting the railing, then   mopping . It's a three-step cleaning process which can be four steps if I manually dry the steps with a towel. The process is quite simple but does include three separate trips of walking up and down the stairs at minimum .

CleanSnob shared a faster method for speed cleaning a staircase that can be just as thorough but only requires a single trip up or down the staircase.

All in one trip, CleanSnob sweeps the stairs, mops them, and dusts the railing step by step, working her way downward — by keeping all three cleaning tools on her person the entire time. Her process is most certainly faster and may be ideal for anyone cleaning on a real or self-imposed time crunch.

I must note that this "speed cleaning" process only makes sense if you really believe you can be precise and thorough with the sweep-mop-dust swipes the first time around. 

I often notice that when people speed clean thinking that they're being efficient, they miss spots and leave things behind because they want to finish faster. I've even caught plenty of professionals (who I thought would have superior cleaning skills) leaving dust spots or crumbs because they had a lot to do and wanted to be quick. It defeats the purpose because if I'm paying you to clean for me and it's not done correctly, then I'm going to kindly ask you to make corrections. Ultimately, you'll still be making the several trips up the steps that you tried to avoid because you wanted to "speed" clean. And I just paid a cleaning expert  but ended up begrudgingly being their micromanager, wishing I had just done it myself the way my mama taught me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

In all honesty, I'm part of the population of folks who enjoy cleaning anyway. It's part of my self-care process and I hate rushing (for anything) because it drudges up my anxiety.

Beyond that, because I know we all don't just love tidying up the house — riddle me this, baby: How and why — in my own house — am I racing down my steps backwards, juggling multiple cleaning tools like a robot, risking a trip-and-fall emergency? LOL. I am not running an Airbnb . No one will pull up in an Uber at 4 PM, luggage in tow, and demand their cleaning fee back because I didn't finish on some faux deadline. I don't mind blasting my Whitney Houston and getting my steps in with multiple trips. 

Still, I understand that walking up and down the stairs is not an ideal process for people who may be elderly or who simply have physical limitations. I also get that some people have a full house with lots of children and need to be efficient to actually get anything even halfway done. Thoughts and prayers.

I'll pass but there are different mop strokes for different folks. Would you try CleanSnob's trifecta stairwell cleaning method? 

Follow us on Google News , subscribe to get Home & Garden news to your inbox and share your latest project for a chance to be featured!

• Acts of Kindness
• Viral Stories
• New Food Flavors
• Cleaning & Organization
• Kitchen Gadgets
• DIY & Improvement

This easy iPhone trick lets you track flight info without an app

You can skip the app downloads; this has everything you need to catch a flight or pick someone up at the airport.

• Marie Rossiter
• March 28, 2024

Planning a trip that requires you to fly to your destination? Keeping track of flight information often means having to download each airline’s app and then figuring out how to navigate to the right place to find your flight information, such as gate location, departure/arrival times (including if there are any delays).

What if there was an easier way to get all of that information in one place without adding another app to your smartphone? There is! If you have an iPhone, then all you need to keep track of your flight information is your built-in iMessage (text) app. It also makes it super simple to share your flight with tracking info, so you’ll want to try it next time you have to pick someone up at the airport (or get picked up yourself).

MORE: This Google Maps feature helps you plan your stops and share your travel plans

We heard about this convenient feature that allows iMessage users to access important flight information with just one tap. We tried it ourselves, and it only takes a few seconds.

First, open a new text to yourself or to someone else who may need or want your travel information. Then, just type in the airline and the flight number. You’ll notice the text changes to an underlined, clickable link (see photo above).

Once you see that link, your work is done, and all the flight details you need are just a touch away.

When you click on the link, you’ll see options that allow you to preview your flight or use a “copy flight code” to send to someone else if you’d like.

Tap the link and you’ll get a screen filled with all of the important details you require to lessen your travel anxiety or pick someone up at the airport.

For the flight I entered, you can see helpful details including destination, gates of departure and arrival, baggage claim and much more. Because this flight has multiple legs, all you need to do is scroll to get the information for each leg of the flight.

MORE:  Have you tried this hands-off way to restart your iPhone?

This feature can be incredibly handy for anyone who doesn’t want to scramble to find the website or app that corresponds with the airline they are flying with.

I’m going to share this feature with my mom when she travels to see me. We text often when she goes on trips, and now she’ll have the details all in one window. That means less stress for both of us.

Give this feature a try on your next business trip or vacation to reduce your mental baggage when traveling!

Related posts

This Google Maps feature helps you plan your stops and share your travel plans

You could win a trip to see the solar eclipse from an airplane

How to clean your AirPods, case and ear tips safely and effectively

How to stay safe in a hotel room

About the author.

From our partners

Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic

Carnival will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.

Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said. Royal Caribbean International will contact guests and travel partners once plans are final, the operator said.

Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.

This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.

A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.

The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.

Baltimore bridge collapse

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship , sending at least eight people from a construction crew into the water. Follow live updates and see photos from the scene .

How it happened: The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers recovered the bodies of two construction workers who died , while finding other vehicles trapped and probably containing the other victims, officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . The entire crew aboard the container ship Dali survived . First responders shut down most traffic on the four-lane bridge after the crew issued an urgent mayday call. It saved lives, Moore said.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge, which severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, adds a fresh headache to already struggling global supply chains . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

History: The Key Bridge was built in the 1970s and spanned the Patapsco River. Rebuilding the bridge will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, experts said.

ADVERTISEMENT

• STAIR RISER HEIGHT FAQs - CONTENTS : Q&A on stair step riser height specifications & codes.
• POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about stair and step riser heights and dimensions and building codes

We also provide a more comprehensive INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES for this topic, but we recommend that you use the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.

On 2018-08-01 by (mod) - Can the top tread of a stair stringer be the same elevation as the finish floor ?

That's an interesting question; you're basically extending the floor area by the width of a stair tread, right?

Why would you do that? It pushes the whole stairway out by the depth of the stair tread in move that would be unnecessary - but then I can't see your situation, perhaps I'm missing something. I don't think we'll find an explicit prohibition in the stair codes, since the code writers can't and don't try to anticipate every possible variation on what people may invent. But a local building code inspector MIGHT interpret that top tread as a stair top platform.

A platform needs to run no less than 3 ft. in the direction of travel up and down the stairs, and yours would run what, maybe 11" - or whatever is your tread depth.

On 2018-08-01 John R

Can the top tread of a stair stringer be the same elevation as the finish floor ?

On 2018-06-30 by paula martin - fall at 3-step sstair in library

On 2017-12-20 1 by (mod) -

Yes 20" as a single step up is too-high a rise and would be a trip hazard. Typically step rise should be around 7"

On 2017-12-19 by Jamrs

I have two decks at different heights by 20 inches is a step required. ..jd

On 2017-11-25 by (mod) - fine tuning step riser height

On 2017-11-25 by (mod) - howw to fix a too-high final step rise

Grant I can't make a reliable prescription for a site I know nothing about. But sometimes it's possible to correct an improperly built concrete stairway by increasing the length of the run and then pouring or building new stairs atop what was already there. If you had 13 risers (at 8") and if I GUESS that you had a stair tread depth of 10" and if the stair builder had any sense and made all the steps or treads the same dimensions, then your stair run would be 13 x 10 = 130" or 10.8 feet in the horizontal direction. The ACTUAL stairway, AS BUILT, had a total rise of 12 x 8" + 8.75" (for that "last step) or a total of 104.75" (or I might be missing something as I don't really know your site) Let's GUESS from the above that the total rise of the stairway was that amount: 104.75" over those thirteen unfortunate steps. If you drop the individual step rise to 7" 104.75 / 7 = 14.96 steps to climb that height 7 inches at a time (per step) So we can build a stair with 15 steps. The exact step rise would be 6.98" - so the builder can certainly make that 7" with almost zero adjustment to the individual tread rises and he can certainly keep the step rise uniformity well within spec. Now if we have 15 steps with treads that are 10" deep then our new stair run (horizontal distance) is 15 x 10 = 150" or 12 1/2 feet. If you have room to extend the stair run to 12 1/2 feet you're in good shape.

On 2017-11-25 by Anonymous

Thank you What can be done from here? Does he have to demolish the staircase and do it again? Is there any other way of correcting it? Demolishing it all and beginning again would be a big job, but I will instruct him to do it if necessary.

On 2017-11-25 by (mod) - the last and highest step (the porch/landing) 8.75 inches high

It's more than an issue of Code Compliance and passing a final inspection that's also an issue of people falling and being injured.

On 2017-11-25 by Grant

I am in the process of having an external masonry staircase and porch landing demolished and rebuilt from scratch. At the bottom of this staircase is the sidewalk, and at the top, is the porch that leads directly to my front door.

Or is the riser height discrepancy not that big of a deal? The steps are poured concrete over a deck sheet, supported by 4 metal beams, supported by side walls. Underneath the staircase is hollow. The risers and treads are limestone. Thank you very much for your help.

On 2017-10-10 by (mod) -

Freddy Let's do a back-of-the-envelope calculation. Assume a 7" riser height. 94/7 = 13.4 risers but since we can't have a fraction of a step, we either increase to 14 risers (giving a step height under 7") or 13 risers (giving a step height just over 7". Let's use 13. 94" total rise / 13 risers = 7.23" individual riser height.

On 2017-10-09 19:58:13.014906 by Freddy

On 2017-10-09 by Freddy

On 2017-10-05 by Steph

On 2017-09-10 by Robert leite

On 2017-04-22 by (mod) - rule for height of landing above grade

On 2017-04-22 by Anonymous

On 2017-04-18 by (mod) - ok to make steps of different heights? No.

On 2017-02-05 by Jane

On 2017-01-28 by janet r ford

On 2017-01-24 by Anonymous

On 2017-01-11 by (mod) - ALL of the steps in a flight of stairs should be the same height

On 2017-01-11 by Anonymous

On 2016-06-15 by (mod) - variances allowed for open risers

On 2016-06-15 by Mr T

On 2015-11-19 by (mod) - Walkways, i.e. sidewalks, are not stairs.

On 2015-11-19 by Tom

On 2015-11-12 by (mod) - uneven steps are a trip hazard

On 2015-11-12 by Anita Chapman

On 2014-06-02 - by (mod) -

K. You want visual cues to call attention to the step, such as color differences on the two floors and perhaps a color difference on the face of the riser.m. That's my opinion, not a code citation.

On 2014-06-02 by K.

What about two rooms that are at different heights, so there is a single "step" up about 4". Any requirements for safety?

On 2014-05-27 - by (mod) -

Sinees NO that would be a trip and fall hazard.

On 2014-05-25 by [email protected]

can first step be smaller in height than the balance of the stairs (nj building codes)

On 2014-02-23 - by (mod) -

Isibro, that's an interesting question and I have no doubt that an attorney can find someone who will come up with a calculated number based on simple physics and terminal velocity but IMO the number would be rather unreliable considering that there are some most liklely unknown but important factors involved: whether or not a person attempted to interrupt a fall, directions of movement: forward vs vertical, actual distances between the person's shoulder at the start of the fall and the end of the fall - which is almost certainly not the simple step height. One also must know how far the person (or shoulder traveled AFTER the point of impact. You can hop over to a physics site where many of them give a nice online calculator for "Impact Force from Falling Object" if theory rather than actual impact force is what's of interest. It's not the approach I would take.

On 2014-02-21 by isibro o ochoa

my question is how fast would i be going before i hit the floor if i fell down a stairway approximatly four steps to the bottom which would be 32 inches.and land on my shoulder

On 2012-09-28 - by (mod) -

Anon, I agree, I would not rip out the stairs. To be fully compliant you can spread the adjustment over several smaller tread changes.

On 2012-09-18 by Anonymous

Oops! I'd better learn to read the whole article. Clearly this was addressed. It seems fairly absurd to re-string a set of stairs for such a minor variation in height.

I have a home under renovation with existing plywood floors. There is an existing stairway which meets code. That is, the riser heights are satisfactory and there is no deviation from step to step including the first step. However, I'll be adding a 3/4" hardwood floor over the existing plywood. This would reduce the initial riser height while the others remain at their original height. Is the 3/4" initial riser height difference acceptable? I certainly wouldn't want to rip out the stairway stringers and re-do it for just 3/4".

Continue reading at STAIR RISER SPECIFICATIONS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX .

Recommended Articles

• STAIR RISE & RUN CALCULATIONS
• STAIR DIMENSIONS, WIDTH, HEIGHT
• STAIR CODES & STANDARDS - home
• STAIR CODE DETAILS
• STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS - INSPECTIONS, CODES .
• Or see the ARTICLE INDEX below for detailed articles on specifications for proper dimensions for stairs, railings, platforms

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to STAIRS RAILINGS LANDINGS RAMPS

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator . Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like. You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted. Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response. Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

• Berendt, John, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, A Savannah Story, Random House 1994, ISBN 0-679-42922-0 pp. 64-65.
• Grossman, Samantha, "WATCH: Everybody Trips on This One Subway Stair", [Video], Time Magazine, (29 June 2012), [After this video of a problematic Brooklyn subway staircase went viral, the MTA stepped in to fix the problem.], retrieved 2016/06/27, original source: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/06/29/watch-everybody-trips-on-this-one-subway-stair/
• Templer, John. The staircase: history and theories. Vol. 1. Mit Press, 1995.
• Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com . See our book review of this publication.
• Eric Galow, Galow Homes , Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: [email protected] or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.
• [3] Stephenson, Elliott O., THE ELIMINATION OF UNSAFE GUARDRAILS, A PROGRESS REPORT [PDF] Building Standards , March-April 1993
• [4] "Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards , January-February 1991
• UBC 1003.3.4.3
• BOCA 1016.3
• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.
• ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA)
• ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standard
• [7] The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
• [8] Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
• [9] Falls and Related Injuries: Slips, Trips, Missteps, and Their Consequences, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, (June 2002), ISBN-10: 0913875430 ISBN-13: 978-0913875438 "Falls in the home and public places are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, but are overlooked in most literature. This book is unique in that it is entirely devoted to falls. Of use to primary care physicians, nurses, insurance adjusters, architects, writers of building codes, attorneys, or anyone who cares for the elderly, this book will tell you how, why, and when people will likely fall, what most likely will be injured, and how such injuries come about. "
• "A Parametric Study of Wall Moisture Contents Using a Revised Variable Indoor Relative Humidity Version of the "Moist" Transient Heat and Moisture Transfer Model [copy on file as/interiors/MOIST_Model_NIST_b95074.pdf ] - ", George Tsongas, Doug Burch, Carolyn Roos, Malcom Cunningham; this paper describes software and the prediction of wall moisture contents. - PDF Document from NIS
• [12] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2, available from the publisher, Lawyers ^ Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com [email protected]
• [13] Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
• [14] The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code. [copy on file as http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf ] -
• [17] Steps and Stairways , Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
• [18] The Staircase, Ann Rinaldi
• [19] Common Sense Stairbuilding and Handrailing, Fred T. Hodgson
• [20] The Art of Staircases, Pilar Chueca
• [21] Building Stairs, by pros for pro, Andy Engel
• [22] A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding, George R. Christina
• [23] Basic Stairbuilding, Scott Schuttner
• [24] The Staircase (two volumes), John Templar, Cambridge: the MIT Press, 1992
• [25] The Staircase: History and Theories, John Templar, MIT Press 1995
• [26] >Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
• [27] "The Dimensions of Stairs", J. M. Fitch et al., Scientific American , October 1974.
• ANSI A1264.2
• ASTM D-21, and ASTM D2047 
• UL-410 (similar to ASTM D-21)
• NSFI 101-B  (National Floor Safety Institute)
• NSFI Walkway Auditing Guideline (WAG) Ref. 101-A& 101-B (may appear as ANSI B101.0) sets rules for measuring walkway slip resist
• OSHA - (Dept of Labor CFR 1910.22 does not specify COF and pertains to workplaces) but recognizes the need for a "qualified person" to evaluate walkway slipperiness
• ADA (relies on the ANSI and ASTM standards) 
• [29] A. Sacher, International Symposium on Slip Resistance: The Interface of Man, Footwear, and Walking Surfaces, Journal of Testing and Evaluation (JTE), ISSN: 1945-7553, January 1997  [more focused on slipperiness of polished surfaces
• [30] Algae is widely recognized as a slippery surface - a Google web search for "how slippery is algae on steps" produced more than 15,000 results on 8/29/12)
• [31] Slipperiness of algae on walking surfaces, warning, Royal Horticultural Society, retrieved 8/29/2012, original source: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=418
• [32] Slipperiness of algae: "Watch your step, wet rocks and algae are slippery" Oregon State University warning  1977  retrieved 8/29/2012, original source: http://www.worldcat.org/title/watch-your-step-wet-rocks-and-algae-are-slippery/oclc/663683915 
• [33] Coefficient of friction of algae on surfaces [like stair treads]: Delphine Gourdon, Qi Lin, Emin Oroudjev, Helen Hansma, Yuval Golan, Shoshana Arad, and Jacob Israelachvili, "Adhesion and Stable Low Friction Provided by a Subnanometer-Thick Monolayer of a Natural Polysaccharide", Langmuir, 2008 pp 1534-1540, American Chemical Society, retrieved 8/29/2012, Abstract: Using a surface forces apparatus, we have investigated the adhesive and lubrication forces of mica surfaces separated by a molecularly thin, subnanometer film of a high-molecular-weight (2.3 MDa) anionic polysaccharide from the algae Porphyridium sp. adsorbed from aqueous solution. The adhesion and friction forces of the confined biopolymer were monitored as a function of time, shearing distance, and driving velocity under a large range of compressive loads (pressures). Although the thickness of the dilute polysaccharide was
• [34] Jinjin Li, Yuhong Liu, Jianbin Luo, Pengxiao Liu, and Chenhui Zhang, "Excellent Lubricating Behavior of Brasenia schreberi Mucilage" Langmuir 2012 28 (20), 7797-7802
• [35] Jason R. Stokes, Lubica Macakova, Agnieszka Chojnicka-Paszun, Cornelis G. de Kruif, and Harmen H. J. de Jongh, "Lubrication, Adsorption, and Rheology of Aqueous Polysaccharide Solutions, Langmuir 2011 27 (7), 3474-3484
• [36] "Coefficients of Friction for Ice", The Physics Factbook™, Glenn Elert, Ed., retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2004/GennaAbleman.shtml
• [37] "Coefficients of Friction for Ice", The University of the State of New York Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics . New York: The State Education Department, 2002. Op. Cit.
• [38] Serway Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4th edition (p. 126.)
• [39] "How Slippery Is It", retrieved 8/29/12, original source http://www.icebike.org/Articles/howslippery.htm
• [40] John E. Hunter, "Friction Values", The Source , Society of Accident Reconstructionists, Winter 1998. Study of frictional values of car tires involved in collisions on snow or ice covered roadways.
• [41] Frictional Coefficients of some Common Materials and Materials Combinations, The Engineering Toolbox, retrieved 8/29/2012, original source: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/friction-coefficients-d_778.html [copy on file as Friction and Coefficients of Friction.pdf ]
• [42] Stairways and Ladders, A Guide to OSHA Rules , OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 3124-12R 2003 - Web Search 05/28/2010 original source: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3124.pdf. OSHA regulations govern standards in the construction industry and in the workforce Quoting from OSHA whose focus is on workplace safety and so excludes discussion of falls and stair-falls in private homes: OSHA estimates that there are 24,882 injuries and as many as 36 fatalities per year due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction. Nearly half of these injuries are serious enough to require time off the job--11,570 lost workday injuries and 13,312 non-lost workday injuries occur annually due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction. These data demonstrate that work on and around ladders and stairways is hazardous. More importantly, they show that compliance with OSHA's requirements for the safe use of ladders and stairways could have prevented many of these injuries. -osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/stairlad.html
• [43] International Building Code, Stairway Provisions, Section 1009: Stairways and Handrails, retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://www.amezz.com/ibc-stairs-code.htm [copy on file as IBC Stairs Code.pdf]
• [44] Model Building Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/newjersey/NJ_Building/PDFs/NJ_Bldg_Chapter10.pdf, [copy on file as NJ_Bldg_Chapter10.pdf] adopted, for example by New Jersey. International Code Council, 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, Tel: 800-786-4452
• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore . Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
• In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES .
• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: [email protected] . Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME . Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.

Recommended

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to copy URL

Taylor Swift’s perfect yellow bikini from her Bahamas trip with Travis Kelce is somehow still in stock

• View Author Archive
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

She wore an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow striped bikini.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are both enjoying some time off from work together , and were spotted soaking up the sun in the Bahamas on Thursday.

The “Karma” singer, 34, who is on a brief break from her Eras Tour, enjoyed a PDA-packed dip in the surf and a stroll on the sand alongside her boyfriend while wearing a Montce bikini top ($143) and bottom ($94) in the brand’s Canary Stripe colorway — which is currently available for preorder.

Montce Lucy Bikini Top and Lulu Bikini Bottom

“Couldn’t be more excited to wake up this morning to see Taylor in Montce. She looks amazing in the bikini,” the brand’s owner and designer, Alexandra Grief, tells Page Six Style.

“She’s wearing our go-to Lulu bottom — a super versatile and flattering bottom that can be worn high on the leg for maximum flattery — and the Lucy top, a great-fitting underwire style for all sizes that features an adjustable tie-up detail in the front that can be used to add more support, or just for the cute bow.”

Montce’s suits have also been spotted on Sydney Sweeney, Shay Mitchell and Olivia Culpo, the latter of whom just debuted a collaboration with the brand .

And should yellow not be your color preference, Swift’s top and bottom are available in several other colors and patterns.

Kelce, 34, also opted for printed swimwear while splashing around in the clear blue Bahamian water, sporting blue shibori-inspired tie-dye trunks.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is certainly due for a relaxing vacation after winning the 2024 Super Bowl last month — and traveling around the world to watch his girlfriend perform in both Australia and Singapore .

The couple weren’t shy about showing off their love on the shore; the pair were snapped holding hands in the water, walking arm in arm and kissing on the beach while enjoying some beverages.

Shop 'til you drop with Post Wanted

Save time and money with the latest deals, discounts, trends, reviews and more.

Thanks for signing up!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Never miss a story with New York Post newsletters.

They dried off with yellow towels and laid out in the sun next to each other on a seemingly private beach.

Kelce recently fueled engagement rumors — and even hinted at wanting a baby — on his podcast, “New Heights,” earlier this week.

He joked with brother Jason Kelce about lab-grown diamonds and lab-grown humans, although the Philadelphia Eagles quickly dismissed his statements as “fueling conspiracy theorists.”

Travis and Taylor’s vacation follows their quick trip to Los Angeles to attend Madonna’s high-security Oscars party , and precedes Swift’s return to the stage in May and Kelce’s summer training camp sessions in July.

Seems both will be returning to work with a tan.

Share this article:

• Sports Betting
• Sports Entertainment

The sights and sounds from the Yankees’ memorable trip to Mexico City

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Aaron Boone, most of his coaches and six members of the Yankees’ Opening Day roster were two time zones, one country and some 1,200 miles away from the rest of the team.

Considering that the Yankees’ two-game series in Mexico City fell on the final two days of spring training , the timing was far from ideal, which a handful of team personnel acknowledged before the trip. Most of the players involved in the final roster decisions were back in Tampa, meaning Boone could not be there to deliver the news, good or bad, about whether or not a player had made the team .

“Honestly, the last day and a half leading into this has been a little stressful,” Boone said Sunday morning in Mexico City.

In addition, a few late drops from the roster the Yankees had planned to bring to Mexico — notably Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo and DJ LeMahieu — tempered some of the buzz heading into the two-game series with Diablos Rojos del México.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Advertisement

How the Key Bridge Collapsed in Baltimore: Maps and Photos

By Weiyi Cai ,  Agnes Chang ,  Lauren Leatherby ,  Lazaro Gamio ,  Leanne Abraham and Scott Reinhard

On Tuesday, a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the water seconds after it was struck by a cargo ship, sending vehicles on the bridge into the river below. The ship lost power and issued a mayday call shortly before it hit the bridge.

The ship, a 948-foot-long cargo vessel called Dali, was about a half hour into its journey toward Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it hit a main pillar of the bridge. All crew members are safe, according to the ship’s owners.

Follow our live coverage .

A mayday call from the ship gave officials enough time to stop traffic at both ends of the bridge. The waters where the bridge collapsed are about 50 feet deep. By Tuesday morning, six construction workers who had been fixing potholes on the bridge remained missing as divers and other emergency workers on boats and helicopters continued to search for them. Two others had been rescued, and one was in the hospital.

Francis Scott

Patapsco River

The ship left the Port

of Baltimore around

1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Where impact occurred

Direction of the ship

The ship hit the

bridge at 1:28 a.m.

The ship hit the bridge at 1:28 a.m.

Where impact

Source: Spire Global

The New York Times; satellite image by Google Earth

The lights of the ship flickered on and off as it lost power in the minutes before the ship changed bearing and hit the bridge.

Ship approached from

the Port of Baltimore

Road repair crews

Ship changed heading

as it neared pillar

Ship hit pillar

Southern and central spans

of bridge began to collapse within

seconds of impact

Northern span began to

collapse seconds later

Within 30 seconds of impact,

the central part of bridge had

entirely collapsed.

Source: StreamTime Live via YouTube

Timestamps are from StreamTime Live video.

The New York Times

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was opened in 1977 and carried more than 12.4 million vehicles last year. The bridge was one of the three major ways to cross the Patapsco River and formed part of Baltimore’s beltway.

The Port of Baltimore is a major trade hub that handled a record amount of foreign cargo last year. It is an especially important destination — the nation’s largest by volume last year — for deliveries of cars and light trucks.

Ship impact

To Chesapeake Bay

Sources: Maryland Port Administration, OpenStreetMap, MarineTraffic

Note: Ship positions are as of 2:46 p.m. Eastern time.

Overall, Baltimore was the 17th biggest port in the United States in 2021, ranked by total tons, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The bridge collapse brought marine traffic there to a standstill, with seven cargo or tanker ships stranded in the harbor as of Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency for Maryland and said that his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary. The White House issued a statement saying that President Biden had been briefed on the collapse.

Erin Schaff/The New York Times

• Share full article