Moving into a new condo,stairs have open risers.Have 3kids. Can ne1 provide me with a fix to solve this hazrd?

Question

I have 3 small children under 5yrs old. Open risers on stairs are a hazard. Short of finding another place, is there a way to fix or install risers without rebuilding the entire stair case? I would hate for my 1 yr old to slip thru the stairs and take a one story fall! Any tips or suggestions are greatly appreiciated in advance. TY!

Answer 1

Are these indoors or outdoors?

Indoors for wood stairs, I would buy sheets of MDF, paint them to match your walls, then staple, glue or nail these in place as your new risers.

Once this is done, the section beneath the stairs may not look as pleasant as a nice oak staircase, so you will likely want to seal the below-stair view by installing gypsum board or a sheet of melamine. Some people even use wainscotting all the way down beneath the stairs, then stain it the same color as the staircase.

What we did for our open risers was made a built in storage area and bookcase beneath the stairs, so that closing in the risers was part of the installation. From the tread side of the staircase, all you saw was white melamine risers with golden oak treads. Beneath the stairs, the "added" melamine risers were hidden in the storage compartment and behind the bookcase.

If this is an outside staircase you may simply want to install some sort of cast iron rod that goes from one side of the stair to the other. So that 5-6" riser area between each stair is then divided into two smaller 2.5-3" gap, which the kids are unlikely to slip through.

Answer 2

See if you can attach a carpet runner to the stairs. This would go on top of the stairs and would prevent small feet from slipping through the opening. You can use clear runner sold at a hardware store so it won't even be really seen on the steps - and it also prevents spills from reaching the stair surface.

If your stairs are outside and made of cement, ask the landlord if you can install a couple of pieces of fiberglass roofing - the corregated type. It may not completely prevent a fall, but would certainly help a great deal (the little one's foot would hit the fiberglass and give them a chance to keep from going to the floor).

And of course, put a gate on the bottom/top of the stairs so the little one doesn't go up/down without your being there to help them.

Answer 3

Many municipalities consider open risers illegal. If you rent you can call the town/city inspectors office and ask. If so, then request your Landlord to correct the problem.
If you own it, can probably attach some plywood pieces to cover the openings. They should all be close in size size (plus or minus 1/4") so measure then, you can have a store like Lowes or home depot cut some 1/4" plywood to size (they will charge a small cutting fee) Then you can screw the boards to the underside of the risers.

Answer 4

whats up Hun, large that each and every physique is welll with toddler even although you're suffering somewhat - this is going to all be worth it interior the long-term whilst she arrives! i'm having an extremely unusual month! AF is two days late, examined and have been given a BFN !! - Had some brown discharge this morning (Sorry TMI!) aside from that no longer something i've got not had any cramps in any respect that's thoroughly out of character for me because of the fact in many circumstances mine are very undesirable. desire every person is having a happy healthful being pregnant and all TTCers are on the component of having their properly deserved BFP's! Hazel x

Answer 5

Open Riser Staircase

Answer 6

use plywood attached to the underside of the stair treads. If you can't nail it in place strap it.

Answer 7

plexiglass attached to what ever spindles you have.... break joints on spindles, attach w/ screws & washers, or heavy pull ties!