Though we may not take much time to consider it, slippery floors are a major hazard that many of us face on a daily basis. Whether it’s a rainy-day puddle or freshly mopped linoleum, a minor slip can lead to a major injury and menacing medical bills. This is why it is so vital to have proper non-slip matting in place, no matter the location. Durable, slip-resistant safety floors play an essential role in preventing accidents in both the home and the workplace. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip-and-fall accidents result in over one million emergency room visits every year, and such accidents are the leading cause of occupational injury by a landslide. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that floors and flooring materials directly contribute to more than 2 million fall injuries annually. That’s more than 2 million injuries that could have been prevented with the simple use non-slip matting! From small-scale home applications to large commercial stores—here are just a few places that should never be without slip-resistant safety floors!

1. Retail Stores – Or, truthfully, any commercial business that sees a high volume of foot traffic. Rubber non-slip matting is the ideal flooring material for stores and businesses because it enhances traction, provides a bit of comfort, and it can take a beating. Vinyl anti-slip flooring is extremely durable and similarly favored in commercial stores, though it lacks the anti-fatigue comfort you get with rubber non-slip matting. Both types of safety floors are made from materials with a high coefficient of friction, meaning the material resists movement to keep feet safe and stable on the surface of the non-slip mat. This quality combined with the excellent abrasion resistance provided by rubber and vinyl, makes anti-slip mats made from these materials a perfect match to endure the consistent foot traffic experienced by most shopping malls and retail stores.

2. Spas and Pool Areas – If you’re expecting frequent spills in an area, then anti-slip flooring is a must! No matter how careful you are, anyone can still lose their footing on a wet and slippery floor. Rubber runner mats are the perfect choice for moisture-prone applications. This is because rubber’s high coefficient of friction gives it a natural element of grip, and some non-slip matting even features unique surface textures to enhance traction further. Anti-slip mats with surface patterns like diamond-plating and coin-top have a greater surface area with additional points of contact for feet and shoes. This allows the safety rubber non-slip mat to provide the highest level of slip-resistance in wet applications like spas, locker rooms, and pool areas. Rubber runner mats also provide a softer, more forgiving surface than concrete or tile, so stubbed toes and trip-and-falls when running around the pool are significantly less disastrous when you have rubberized anti-slip flooring.

3. Industrial Settings – Non-slip matting is vital in locations that house heavy equipment and potentially dangerous machinery. Heavy machinery tends to vibrate when in use, and this abrasive movement can cause damage to the flooring or the equipment itself. Anti-slip flooring or mats are necessary to hold machines in place and prevent them from damaging your sensitive sub-surfaces. Rubber runner mats are ideal for lining walkways in industrial settings. Some rubber anti-slip mats have features such as drainage holes and corrugated ribs, designed to increase safety in hazardous settings even further. These features help to maintain a stable and dry surface on the non-slip matting by leading moisture and debris away from the walking surface. Rubber runner mats with corrugated ribs can even scrape dirt from shoes and trap it on the mat for the highest possible slip-resistance in outdoor and industrial applications. Protect your employees, your equipment, and your business when you install rubber safety floors.

4. Gardens and Parks – No outdoor location should ever be without anti-slip mats, especially if is a place that experiences excessive moisture or high volumes of foot traffic. It should come as no surprise that outdoor walkways are prone to slip-and-fall accidents. From the community garden to a commercial zoo, any outdoor pathways are bound to get wet sooner or later, and without non-slip matting installed the consequences could be disastrous. Sprinklers, rain, and nearby water sources can all contribute to hazardous outdoor pathways, and quality non-slip matting made from safety rubber is essential in preventing accidents. Even the tiniest amount of water can cause someone to slip on a smooth sidewalk or dirt path and hurt themselves on the unforgiving surface. Instead of risking injury, add safety and comfort to your outdoor pathways by installing rubber runner mats. This type of non-slip matting can lead moisture away from the walking surface with corrugated grooves or drainage holes. This allows the surface of the non-slip matting to maintain reliability through any weather conditions, as the walking surface is kept dry while excess moisture is drained away.

5. Residential Applications – So many accidents and injuries occur right in our own homes. If you commonly slip in the kitchen, bathroom, or even out on the patio, you can solve the problem with anti-slip flooring or anti-slip mats. Even the smallest slip-and-fall accidents can lead to major long-term injuries, not to mention unsightly medical bills. The home should be the place you are most comfortable in, and rubber non-slip matting can help to maintain that necessary comfort. A small, rubber non-slip mat placed in front of the shower or sink can make a world of difference, as these moisture-prone areas are notorious for slip-and-fall accidents. Safety rubber also provides cushioning and anti-fatigue comfort so that you can go barefoot at home worrying about stubbed toes or overstressed joints. Considering the annual 200,000 emergency room visits caused by bathroom injuries alone, safety floors or anti-slip mats in the home should be considered a necessity. The unfortunate reality of slip-and-fall accidents is that they can happen anywhere, and they can easily be either harmless or catastrophic. Though factors such as moisture and smooth surfacing create an apparent need for non-slip matting, any commercial, industrial, or residential location can benefit from installation of rubber safety floors. You never know, a simple non-slip mat could turn out to be live-saving.