Do you have stairs on your property? Whether they are inside or outside your home, commonly traveled by customers, or reserved for the employees of your commercial property only, stairs should always be seen as a potential hazard. A large percentage of the slip and fall accidents that occur in St. Petersburg involve stairs and if someone else is injured on the steps of your property, you could find yourself standing up against a personal injury attorney.
Rather than take such risks with your loved ones, employees, or clients, you should take measures to ensure that your stairs are always kept in the very best and safest state.
Something to Catch Yourself. When a person begins to fall, the first thing that he or she will do is reach for something sturdy to catch his or her weight. This is why handrails are so important. They can prevent a small stumble from becoming something much more serious. Ensure that you have handrails on both sides of your stairwell and that they are well-maintained.
Mandatory Maintenance. Any potential defect on the steps about your property should be treated as a very serious and immediate issue. Ensure that you are on the lookout for loose carpeting, damaged boards, splintering wood, or raised nails, and also instruct employees to report any such problems they may encounter. These defects should be corrected as soon as possible to prevent accidents and potential lawsuits.
Slippery When Wet. While we aren’t likely to see many icy conditions in Saint Petersburg, outdoor stairwells can come with a host of concerns related to Mother Nature. The most obvious is the risk of a slippery surface after a rainstorm. It may be necessary to install textured pads on the stairs that provide better grip for those climbing the steps and you should also employ signage to suggest that the surface is slippery when wet.