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Falls are the leading cause of injury death in over-65s. Practical home changes that cut stair fall risk. [0161 330 5544](tel:01613305544) - 12-month warranty - Fitted in 48 hours - Acorn accredited - Transparent pricing ### Save an Extra 10% on Your Stairlift Cost & Installation There is a reason why hundreds of customers are happy to recommend us to others. 4.7 Who is the stairlift for? \* For MeA Relative Or call us directly on [0161 330 5544](tel:01613305544). 43% of Brits fall on stairs at least once a year. For people over 65, a stair fall can be life-changing. Most falls are preventable with simple home modifications — and for many people, a stairlift removes the risk entirely. ### Key Takeaways - Falls on stairs are the leading cause of accidental injury death in the over-65s in the UK - 43% of all UK adults fall on stairs each year (British Woodworking Federation) - Poor lighting, no handrail, and slippery surfaces are the top three preventable causes - Contrasting nosing strips, motion-sensor lighting, and dual handrails cut risk significantly - A stairlift eliminates stair fall risk entirely for the user — the most effective intervention - After a fall, do not rush to stand — assess for injury first and call for assistance ## How common is falling down stairs in the UK? Stair falls are far more common than most people realise. The [British Woodworking Federation](https://www.bwf.org.uk/latest-news/43-of-brits-fall-on-the-stairs-each-year-with-younger-adults-at-highest-risk/) reports that 43% of Brits fall on stairs at least once a year. Whilst younger adults actually fall more frequently, the consequences for older adults are dramatically more serious. 43% of UK adults fall on stairs annually 60% of elderly accident deaths involve falls 1 in 10 over-65s die within a year of a hip fracture Falls are the most common cause of accidental death in people over 65 in the UK, according to [Age UK](https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/falls-prevention/). A significant proportion of these fatal and serious falls happen on the stairs inside the person's own home. ## What causes falling on stairs? Most stair falls have an identifiable cause — which means most are preventable. Research from the [UK Stairlifts](https://ukstairlifts.com/fall-risks-for-the-elderly/) resource and fall prevention studies identifies the following primary causes: Cause Frequency Preventable? Inadequate lighting on or near stairs Very common Yes — motion lights, brighter bulbs No handrail or unstable handrail Very common Yes — install/fix handrail Slippery or worn stair surface Common Yes — anti-slip strips, new carpet Carrying objects while on stairs Common Yes — make two trips Rushing, distraction, or tiredness Common Partially Balance or muscle weakness (medical) Common in over-65s Yes — stairlift or physical therapy Poor vision (glasses needed, low contrast) Common in over-65s Yes — vision check, nosing strips Dizziness or medication side effects Common in over-65s Yes — GP review ## How can you reduce the risk of falling down stairs at home? The following measures are evidence-based and practical for most homes. Implement them in priority order — lighting, handrail, and surface first. ### 1\. Improve stair lighting Poor lighting is the single most common environmental factor in stair falls. Install a **motion-sensor light** at the top and bottom of the staircase so it activates automatically at night. Ensure bulbs provide at least 100 lux on the stair treads. Consider a plug-in night light on the landing. ### 2\. Install or repair handrails A secure handrail on at least one side of the stairs is the most effective passive safety measure. UK Building Regulations (Part K) require a handrail on stairs with more than two risers. For older adults, **handrails on both sides** are strongly recommended — they allow the user to grip on the way up and control descent on the way down. Handrails must be at **900–1000mm above the pitch line** and extend at least 300mm beyond the top and bottom steps. If the existing rail is wobbly, have it fixed or replaced. ### 3\. Add contrasting stair nosings The edge of each step should be visually distinct. Contrasting nosing strips — light on dark, or dark on light — help people with reduced vision identify where each step begins. The [UK Building Regulations (Part K/M)](https://www.expressnosings.co.uk/uk-building-regulations-part-k-m-stair-nosing-compliance-guide/) require a 55mm contrasting strip on both tread and riser faces for new stairs. Retro-fitting adhesive nosing strips is simple and inexpensive. ### 4\. Address the stair surface Worn, loose, or repetitively patterned carpet significantly increases fall risk. [First Aid for Life](https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/falls-elderly-prevention-help/) notes that repetitive carpet patterns make it harder to judge individual step edges. Replace worn carpet, secure any loose edges, and avoid strongly patterned designs on the treads. ### 5\. Keep stairs clear Objects left on stairs — even temporarily — are a major fall hazard. Establish a household rule: nothing is stored on the stairs, even briefly. This includes coats, bags, pet toys, or items "waiting to go upstairs". ## When is a stairlift the right solution for stair fall risk? Environmental modifications reduce risk, but they do not eliminate it for people with significant balance or mobility problems. A **stairlift is the most effective intervention** for preventing stair falls in older adults because it removes the act of walking on the stairs entirely. Consider a stairlift if: - The person has already fallen on the stairs, even once - There is noticeable leg weakness, tremor, or balance difficulty - The person holds both walls or the rail very tightly when using stairs - Stairs cause breathlessness or significant effort (see also: [are stairlifts expensive to install?](/stairlift-installation/)) - Medication causes dizziness or balance side effects Manchester Stairlifts offers free home surveys with no obligation. [Book here](/contact-us/). ## What should you do immediately after falling down stairs? **Do not rush to get up.** The instinct after a fall is to stand immediately, but this can worsen injury. Follow these steps: 1. Stay still for a moment. Breathe. Assess whether you feel pain, numbness, or cannot move a limb. 2. If you cannot get up safely, use a personal alarm, shout for help, or drag yourself to a phone. 3. If there is head pain, loss of consciousness, or inability to bear weight — call 999. 4. If you can get up: roll onto your side, get onto hands and knees, crawl to a sturdy piece of furniture, and use it to push yourself up to standing. After any fall, even a seemingly minor one, it is worth seeing a GP. Unreported falls can conceal developing conditions such as postural hypotension, labyrinthitis, or the early signs of Parkinson's disease. ## Frequently asked questions about falling down stairs **How common is falling down stairs in the UK?** **What causes most falls on stairs in elderly people?** **Can handrails prevent falls on stairs?** **Is a stairlift safer than climbing stairs for older adults?** **What is the best lighting for stairs?** **Can I get a grant to make my stairs safer?** **What if an elderly person is scared to use the stairs after a fall?** Concerned about stair safety for you or a family member? [**Get a free quote**](/contact-us/) ### Not sure which stairlift you need? Book a free no-obligation home survey. A local engineer will measure your stairs and recommend the right lift — usually within 48 hours. [Request a free survey](/contact-us/) [0161 330 5544](tel:01613305544) Related pages - [Straight stairlifts](/straight-stairlifts/) - [Curved stairlifts](/curved-stairlifts/) - [Reconditioned](/reconditioned-stairlifts/) - [Stairlift rental](/stairlift-rental/) - [Installation](/stairlift-installation/) - [Servicing & repairs](/stairlift-servicing-manchester/) Helpful guides - [Installation cost guide](/how-much-is-it-to-get-a-stairlift-installed/) - [Stairlift cost comparison](/cost-comparison-of-stairlifts/) - [Rent or buy a stairlift?](/is-it-better-to-rent-or-buy-a-stairlift/) - [Financing second-hand](/best-options-for-financing-second-hand-stairlifts/) - [Second-hand stairlifts](/second-hand-stairlifts/) - [Acorn 130 review](/acorn-130/) - [Acorn 180 review](/acorn-180/) - [Refurbished in Salford](/refurbished-stairlifts-in-salford/) ### Save an Extra 10% on Your Stairlift Cost & Installation There is a reason why hundreds of customers are happy to recommend us to others. 4.7 Who is the stairlift for? \* For MeA Relative Or call us directly on [0161 330 5544](tel:01613305544). 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