Sometimes it happens very quickly – a wrong step or a stumble is followed by a fall. Falls are among the most common household accidents. Good lighting in the stairwell provides safety and prevents accidents, advises the industry initiative licht.de.
 
Some preventive measures significantly improve safety on stairs; these include non-slip steps, handrails and suitable lighting. The light should remain switched on in houses with up to six floors always so long, until the inhabitant of the uppermost floor reaches the front door. Minimum equipment in any case includes light switches at the beginning and end of each staircase. Motion sensors can save a lot of electricity in the stairwell. They are also convenient because beverage crates or shopping bags do not have to be set down in order to switch on the light.
 
Highly visible steps
Because it is more dangerous to fall down the stairs than to trip while climbing them, steps must be clearly visible from above. The light should come from the landing and separate the individual treads from each other with short, soft shadows – then their front edge can be seen effortlessly. Wide-beam luminaires are suitable for this purpose, but not spotlights. They can cast irritating shadows or cause glare. In addition to the general lighting, so-called step lights are mounted at the sides next to the steps at a low height. Recessed wall luminaires mounted at a higher level also perform the same function.