Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-01-25
National Safety Council
Cites Hazards Lurking
On Steps and in Hallway
Playthings Left Midway of Flight May Cause
Serious Falls Good, Carefully Placed
/ Lighting Is Essential.

made q safe - possible In every
detail.
IN MOST dwellings, the council
points out, there are three interior
stairways, and among these the one
most used is that leading from the
first to the second story. Even II the
stairs are inclosed by walls, they
should have . good, husky handrail
On at least one side. Winding stairs
are more dangerous, Of course, than
are straight flights. All stair carpet
should be laid by an expert, 50 that
there are no ragged edges or wrinkles
to cause . turned ankle or stubbed
toe.
The councils little book goes on to
say:
children should not be permitted to
play on the stairs. The children them.
selves may fall, and older people may
fall on or over them. Moreover. the
youngsters are liable to leave their
playthings on the steps, and for an
elderly person to step on . ball or
spool IL very dangerous. Children
should not be permitted to slide on
the banisters." Editors note: Is my
face red?)
Most Of the hazards on the main
staircase are multiplied on the steps
leading to the attic and to the base
ment. Here. because beauty is no OBJ
ject, the designers Of houses are tempt
ed to skimp. The stairs are too steep,
the treads are too narrow, there are
no handrails, there IS insufficient
headroom; the steps are loosely or
cheaply built: there Is an inadequate
light, or none at all.
X X \ X
1T Is easier to make these stair
= ways safe when the house Is being
built, but lights and handrails may
be installed at any time. Shelving
can be removed to increase the clear
ance. Broken steps can be replaced.
Sometimes the stairs can even be
Strengthened and the slope reduced
without prohibitive cost.
ION the cellar steps . surprising
number Of people fall from the low
est step, thinking they are on the
floor. This hazard can be reduced
by painting the lowest step q shining
white so that 1t will catch the eye"
"Brooms, mops, waste baskets.
canned goods and the like should
never be stored on the basement land
ing.
A GREAT many people, in attempt
\ ing to carry too heavy a load.
or one that they cannot see over. have
taken bad spills down stairs. Women
should never carry q baby on one arm
and something heavy on the other
when descending or even ascending
steps. Failing upstairs may prove just
As painful as falling down them, II q
rib comes in contact with . sharp
tread, or ones chin Is dashed against
an unyielding surface.
A. far as the hall itself Il concern.
ed, it should be well lighted, the cosin-
Gil says, and unobstructed. Chairs.
laundry hampers. large packages. and
50 on should not be placed there.
Doors should be carefully closed ut all
times-many painful bumps have oc-
CURED through running into partly
opened door.
\ Il 4 Il
CARPETIN0 in the hall should
~ be firmly tackled down. and any
small rug placed at the foot Of the
stairs should be particularly well
anchored. Bad falls may follow step
ping hastily from the last tread onto
. sliding rug. Dual light control is
advisable, 30 that one does have to
descend or ascend stairs, or traverse
either upper or lower halls in semi
darkness. When possible, lights should
be carefully placed 30 that they do not
dazzle one In going up or down, and
30 that they do not cast . deceptive
shadow over the top or bottom step.
thereby causing the individual to
think he has reached the last Of the
flight.
II you wish advice On yoaf individual
household problems write 70 Betsy
Caswell, in care Of The Star, inclosing
stamped, self -addresed envelope for
reply.