For example, handrails on stairways are an important safety factor for all of us. But for many people, stairs are useless unless they have handrails.
Stairways are a necessary evil, second only to bathrooms in incidence of accidents.
As we become older, stairways become more and more difficult to use and their design becomes critical. The information in this section applies to both interior and exterior stairs in your home. Treads and Risers Tread and riser designs are extremely important. The tread should be wide enough to allow your foot to rest completely on the tread without extending over the edge of the step. Where the total length of a stairway is limited, you can extend tread width by installing a projecting edge, or a nosing on the front of the treads.