| Some stairways that lead up to your attic will have a | | | | safety systems. Some homes that were built before |
| safety or guardrail to prevent people from falling down | | | | the 1960s won't have a handrail system at all in the |
| the stairs or off of them. Attic handrail safety can | | | | stairway. Keep something in mind here, when these |
| provide homeowners with a little peace of mind if they | | | | people were building these houses, some of them |
| just follow the few simple steps. Make sure that the | | | | were trying to save money, some of them figured that |
| handrail is at least 42 inches in height. 42 inches is the | | | | it wasn't going to be a big deal and other builders |
| minimum height for guard rails and can be found in the | | | | simply forgot to install them. |
| uniform building code. | | | | It's not hard to install a working attic handrail for safety |
| The uniform building code is the Bible to the building | | | | but keep in mind, that if the handrail isn't the right height, |
| industry and sets the standard for new construction | | | | it will provide you with limited protection. Attic handrails |
| and remodeling. | | | | that are lower than 30 inches can provide young |
| The 42 inches will be measured from the floor to the | | | | children or others who are shorter than five feet with |
| top of the handrail. Some older homes will have | | | | very little protection but can be a safety hazard to |
| handrails that are 36 inches and some of them will be | | | | anyone over 5 feet tall. |
| even 30 inches in height. A 30 inch handrail provides | | | | If your attic doesn't have a safety handrail, use caution |
| limited protection for anyone who is over five foot tall. | | | | and be careful in these areas of your home. It wouldn't |
| 30 inches becomes the center point for any one over | | | | be a bad idea to install a locking doorknob if your attic |
| 60 inches and these people could easily fall over the | | | | access has a door that can be secured to prevent |
| short handrail. | | | | small children or other people from entering these |
| Now for the homes that don't have any attic handrail | | | | unsafe areas. |