Ideas for making stairs safer?

[DaveS]

Our house was built in the early 80's when apparently children's heads were smaller

At any rate - the openings in the back of my stairs are just big enough to fit my kids' bodies, but not their heads, and I'm a bit worried one of them is going to slip through some time and get hung.

I thought about putting some oak on the back, but it would look a little strange (as the backs are open), and would be challenging since this is a spiral stair.

Any ideas?

[pelligrini]

Would a stainless rod look out of place?

We've used rods or bars on open riser stairs to make the opening less than 4". Another solution was to make the tread thicker. I didn't like the look of the 3 1/4" thick treads were we did it though.

Oh, and those are cool looking stairs too.

[thrytis]

What about a dowel across the back? That would maintain the open feel, but would cut the size that could pass through it by a half.

[LCHIEN]

take the kids to McDonalds more often?

sorry, couldn't resist.

[cabinetman]

How about clear Plexiglas?
.

[JoeyGee]

I would worry less about what it looks like, just make it safe, functional and temporary. I say that because your kids will only be this small for so long. They will be too big to fit a lot sooner than you think (or want them to). Unfortunately, they get big QUICKLY .

[Stytooner]

I would just drill holes through the center on both sides. Use threaded rod and cover with either brass, stainless steel or aluminum tube. This would be the least work, be strong and would look pretty good. Wouldn't be all that costly.
You might be able to use some type of plastic tubing that would be colored. How about hot water PVC. It's an almond color. Just use some solvent to get the lettering off.

[IBBugsy]

I would worry less about what it looks like, just make it safe, functional and temporary. I say that because your kids will only be this small for so long. They will be too big to fit a lot sooner than you think (or want them to). Unfortunately, they get big QUICKLY .

My thoughts also. I also agree with your concern. My kids seemed to find every possible danger there was in my house as they were growing up!

[crokett]

I like Lee's idea. Some kind of bar (wood or threaded rod) run from stringer to stringer set back 1" or so from the front of the tread. My first thought was to just install risers but I know you want to keep the open look to the stairs. If you go with a bar, just make it strong enough for kids to hang from. If I lived in that house as a kid I would hang from it.

[DaveS]

thanks for the ideas guys... I appreciate it.

Here's a view of the whole stair case... I can't imagine how long it took to make.

[OpaDC]

Our house was built in the early 80's when apparently children's heads were smaller

At any rate - the openings in the back of my stairs are just big enough to fit my kids' bodies, but not their heads, and I'm a bit worried one of them is going to slip through some time and get hung.

I thought about putting some oak on the back, but it would look a little strange (as the backs are open), and would be challenging since this is a spiral stair.

Any ideas?

Have to ask. Just how did you figure this out??? (Have this weird picture in my head of Dad pushing the kids through to check the fit.)
And my solution..... (drum roll)..... Turn it into a slide. Wheeeeeeee

[JimD]

I would think about removing the carpet from the stairs - one or two at a time - and covering the treads with 3/8 inch thick solid wood flooring from launstein (google them) and attaching a white painted riser. I realize this would close up the stair but it does not appear there is much of a view through it anyway. I think the end result would be both safer and more attractive than the stairs in their current condition.

You could also use pre-finished laminated flooring that is 3/8 thick. Attaching it to the existing treads and coming up with a nosing piece is easier than replacing the treads. I do not see an easy way to have the riser with the carpet but it is probably still easier than changing to a hardwood tread. You could remove the carpet, install the riser, and then reinstall most of the carpet. I used some 1/8 hardboard with a white pretty durable finish from HD when I recessed my refrigerator into the wall. It was inexpensive. It could be an inexpensive source of riser material (two layers so the white would face both ways.

Jim

[DaveS]

Have to ask. Just how did you figure this out??? (Have this weird picture in my head of Dad pushing the kids through to check the fit.)
And my solution..... (drum roll)..... Turn it into a slide. Wheeeeeeee

We had them try it on the bottom steps (in the basement - where they could touch the floor).

And then we showed them what could happen if they got stuck up higher, and then told them not to play on the steps ever. I think they got it, and I haven't ever seen them play there... but, I'd still like to fix it.

I hadn't thought about a slide... do you think I could find one in a "mission" design?

[pelligrini]

Another solution might be to duplicate the effect of the vertical members of the guard rail in a scaled down version at the back of the tread. You could attach a nailer to the underside of the tread making the face even with the back side of the tread below. Then attach vertical members at an acceptable spacing. It would be pretty labor intensive, and getting to the undersides of the treads might be a challenge.

Most Codes call for a spacing that won't allow a 4" sphere to pass through.

[rnelson0]

Now would be a good time to teach your kids that when squeaking through a small area, to always try to get their head through first. This will come in handy if they ever go spelunking - no chance of going feet first over a chasm or getting stuck with their body already in the compacted area.

I agree with the dowel rod suggestion though.