Backyard Accident Waiting to Happen -Stairway Safety Tips
Video by gregvancom · 2 moments used in Oak Valley Designs's DIY guides · 2:35 long

Moments in this video
- 0:00–0:15 Observe Existing Outdoor Stairs
From How to Keep Outdoor Stairs Safe in Ice and Snow, Step 1: Inspect Existing Stairs
The video initiates by presenting an example of an existing outdoor wooden staircase, visibly leaning against a retaining wall without apparent secure attachment or proper support. This initial step involves meticulously inspecting any outdoor stairs present on your property, carefully looking for similar structural deficiencies or other potential safety hazards. The aim is to visually identify any structures that may warrant further, more detailed safety assessment.
- 0:15–0:26 Evaluate Stair Safety
From How to Keep Outdoor Stairs Safe in Ice and Snow, Step 1: Inspect Existing Stairs
Proceed to carefully evaluate the construction integrity and overall stability of the identified stairs. The video explicitly states that the featured stairs "doesn't really fit the mold of safety" primarily due to a glaring lack of proper attachment points and an inherent potential for instability. During your assessment, focus on key structural elements: scrutinize how the stairs are attached (or, critically, if they are not attached at all) to any supporting structures, evaluate the presence and structural condition of handrails, and gauge the overall rigidity and soundness of each individual step and the entire stair assembly.
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