There are many reasons that people fall down the stairs and they often result in severe injury or even death. Falls on the stairs have three main causes. Falls are generally related to environmental, health, or behavior causes.

Many times the falls are related to environmental factors, such as a toy car left on the stairs or perhaps a pocketbook left carelessly on the steps. Other environmental factors, like slippery steps or loose handrails can also be a factor. These are most times the easiest types of accidents to prevent. Always ensure that your handrails are securely in place and if your steps are made out a slippery material, you should consider placing some anti-skid tape on the steps.

Most other falls on the stairs are related to either health or behavior issues. Behavior issues would involve the person not paying attention as they climb the stairs or carrying an object up the stairs. Health issues could involve a severe case of arthritis or an injury, which make it difficult or unsafe to climb the stairs. To an extent, both behavior and health related falls can be prevented, without requiring the person to avoid the stairs. To help prevent behavior issues, the individual should always pay attention when climbing the stairs and not take risks, like wearing slippery shoes, when climbing the stairs. To prevent health related falls, a medical device, like a stair lift, should be installed.

To prevent health related falls, it is usually necessary to install some sort of medical device either onto the stairs or next to them. A stair lift is usually the least expensive option if you have a straight staircase. Stair lifts are used to carry an individual up and down the steps. They are carried length ways along a track that is secured directly to the steps. Stair lifts use electric power and plug directly into the wall. Some do use batteries and these models cost a little more, but will still work even if the power goes out.

People who do not have a straight staircase, might not be able to install a traditional stair lift, so in most cases a vertical platform lift, which is basically a self contained elevator, or a residential elevator should be used. This is because the cost of a curved stair lift is more than 100 times the cost of a straight stair lift and about the same cost as an elevator. A vertical platform lift is actually much less than both an elevator and a curved stair lift, but they can not be installed onto all homes.

Preventing an accident on the stairs is something that can be done by paying attention to details, keeping the stairs in good working order, and installing medical devices where necessary. The risks associated with a fall can be very serious, so it is best to take the precautions required to prevent a fall.