The fastest and most cost-effective solution for preventing falls is through the use of rubber non-skid treads. These products are meant for individual placement on individual steps. They serve as grips for stairs, greatly enhancing the safety of your residential or commercial area. These are very important to have for the elderly. No-slip stairs can contribute to keeping grandma and grandpa safe and out of harm’s way.

Falls are a fairly common occurrence in our everyday lives. We have all taken a tumble at some point. The cause and severity of each fall may be different, but the end result is always a mixture of pain and embarrassment. Of all the places that increase the likelihood of falls happening, none are more treacherous than stairways. Although different staircases vary in height and appearance, they are all prime territory for accidents to occur. This can be very hazardous for the elderly. One in three people over the age of 65 suffer from a harmful fall every year. This number only increases to one in every two for those aged 80 and above (http://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/center-for-healthy-aging/falls-prevention/).

The most important benefit of anti-skid stair treads is their traction enhancing capabilities. The secret behind this lies within the rubber material used to make each rubber step. Recycled rubber is the most common type of elastomer used to make non-skid treads. It is eco-friendly, affordable, and very durable. Recycled rubber is regularly made from vehicle tires. As a result, recycled rubber treads benefit from the durability features of those tires.

This recycled rubber material is great for use in flooring products thanks to the superior amount of traction that it brings to the table, or in this case, the steps. When feet go on and over these non-skid treads, they will experience a better level of grip and stability. Rubber is one of the few natural materials that actually come with a high co-efficient of friction. It provides enough pushback for feet that it keeps them stable. This safety feature has put rubber in high demand for use in flooring safety products. As a result of this key feature, rubber treads can turn any exposed slip-prone stairs into safe no-slip stairs.

Not only will non-skid treads make a stairway safer, but they can also help to make a stairway more attractive. Many anti-skid stair treads are designed in a way to enhance aesthetics. Some have patterns across the surfaces, while others have a more subdued and conservative look like a standard all-black mat. These are great for adding a touch of style to your home.

Installing these rubber grips for stairs is an easy DIY project. They normally come with a nose/lip that snaps the mat into place on the step. All you have to do is simply place the rubber step over the existing step and then snap it into place. This helps to ensure that the tread does not slip out of place while foot traffic is moving up and down the stairs. Even if some non-skid treads do not have that extended lip, they are generally heavy enough to stay in place on their own. The weight combines with rubber’s ability to grip onto the existing surfaces, making sure that you will stay safe on your steps. For added assurance you can add some 2-sided adhesive tape (i.e. carpet tape) which should keep the mats in place. Regardless of whether your staircase is indoors or outdoors, it will keep you safe while looking good!

In regards to their placement in the outdoors, anti-skid stair treads perform admirably. The rubber material makes each rubber step strong enough to resist the degrading effects of UV rays, ozone, and moisture. This is a crucial feature of any non-skid treads because many staircases are located in the outdoors. They simply have to survive in different elements so that they can help keep you safe on your steps year-round. Perhaps the most important benefit is within their resistance to moisture. Rubber prohibits moisture-related byproducts such as mold and mildew from forming. But this feature also goes hand-in-hand with the anti-slip safety capabilities of these treads. Even when wet, these grips for stairs are far safer to be on than unprotected concrete or laminate steps. Your feet will still enjoy a superior level of traction.

At the end of the day, safety is going to be the prime concern for your stairways. There is no better option available to safeguard potentially hazardous steps than rubber non-skid treads. Each time you place a foot on anti-skid stair treads, you can feel assured that the rubber is silently working to provide your feet with enough traction so as to keep them secure. They come in attractive, easy to install forms and are often made of eco-friendly recycled rubber material. Turn your stairs into no-slip stairs by using rubber non-skid treads to give your home a safety enhancement!