use. The safety of concrete patios depends on their surface finish ? very smooth finishes can be slippery when wet. The more texture a concrete surface has the better slip resistance it provides. Concrete patios are often finished with tiles or pavers which can, depending on their surface finish, also be slippery. For new concrete use a light broom finish or applied non-slip surface rather than a steel trowelled finish. Waterproof decks and balconies Decks that have a waterproof coating or membrane over them can become slippery when wet. Your deck may be finished with a painted or acrylic surface coating, timber-slat duckboards, tiles, stone or paving slabs. Depending on the finish, these can be slippery when wet. Incorporate: Sufficient slope so water drains off the surface and there are no areas of ponding. A waterproofing membrane or surface finish that provides good slip resistance when wet. A clearly defined entrance from the deck into the building. Garage Internal access garages often have a single step at the door. Small level-changes like this increase the tripping risk when you step up, or fall risk when you step down, as the step is often difficult to distinguish from its surroundings. Garages should have: A wood float finish, or be painted with non-slip paving paint or coarse sand added to the wet paint to give it grip. Automatic lighting. A door which opens inwards into the house. The garden Typical slip, trip and fall risks in the garden are: Sudden changes of