Basement Steps and Stairwell Safety

This is a house I inspected yesterday in the 40208-zip code.  I often come across this situation in older homes, the basement steps are “open” and have no balusters or railings. Home safety is something every homeowner and property owner should be concerned with.  In the case of the steps pictured below a child (or pet) could fall from the side of the steps.  This fall could be from playing on the steps or an accident on the stairwell.   In any event this could be a nightmare for parents, and a lawsuit for a rental property owner.  In addition to basement stairwells, steps in decks, and other interior steps should have railings, be free of clutter and the sides of the steps should be secure.

The solution to this is to install railings or balusters (vertical/up and down) blockage of the steps.  This would prevent an injury on the stairwell.   I would encourage anyone that has stairwells like this to update them for safety reasons.

Gold Home Inspection, LLC is a Louisville, Kentucky based home inspection company, that provides common since home inspection.   We can be reached at 502.356.0042