Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

We have wood stairs in my home. We are having a baby soon and I was thinking about getting a runner because I thought it would be safer. After reading the other thread, it looks like more people have fallen with carpeted steps.

What's your opinion?

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

Here is my 2 cents bc hindsight is 20/20.

When DS was one he fell down our ENTIRE flight of carpeted stairs, he had a bloody nose, but we took him to the ER in case it was a sign of something more serious.

The Dr said we could do two things, go home and just keep waking him every hour to check on him or do a CT Scan. Then he explained the risks of a CT Scan to me (it could damage DS IQ or lead to a higher chance of developing a childhood cancer). However the nose bleed had him concerned bc it did mean he hit his head on the way down. With that said, it was an awful decision we had to make. It was like "hmmm, see if he has internal head injuries and if not, now weve increased his risk for childhood cancer".

Point is, we decided to go without the CT Scan and the Dr said the only reason he was remotely comfortable letting us have the choice was bc the stairs were fully carpeted otherwise he wouldve just ordered a CT Scan.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

When we moved in we ripped up the carpet and refinished the floors. Less than one year later of living with a two year old and stairs, we got a runner

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

In our house now we don't have any carpeting on the stairs and I hate it...in the new house, we're going to have wood with a runner, I hate the thought of not having any padding on the stairs with DD..it scares me since I've fallen down the stairs numerous times and can see how bad it can be

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

I have carpet and I hate it. I feel that it gets so warn looking. When we redo the floors I want all wood.

I also have 2 black labs that shed like crazy so its easier to maintain the hair with wood.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

thanks for asking this, I was wondering the same thing.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

I have fully carpeted stairs, there is a design in the carpet so they don't look worn at all after 5 years, I feel a lot safer with the carpeting having little ones rather than bare wood floors although the wood I think is prettier, I'd get the runner if I had wood floors underneath my carpeted stairs.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

Wood stairs with runner down the middle...best of both worlds

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will look into getting a runner put down. Another project!

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

I would definitely get the runner.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

Not sure, but I've only ever slipped on carpeted stairs... or windexed wooden stairs.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

When i bout my apartment, the stairs were carpeted and it was difficult to walk up and down. There was too much padding and the treads were narrow.
We ripped up the carpet.
I never thought about putting a runner down. Now you have me thinking, but I need to replace the treads first.

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

Our house is brandnew and the stairs came carpeted. I initially hated it. Now that DC is mobile, I figure that I will just deal because of the safety issues posted by other posters. By the time the kids can get down the stairs on their own, they will be worn enough that I can change them to wood!

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

We used to live in an upstairs apt in a home. The stairs leading up to our apt were carpeted.

I responded to the falling down the stairs thread and stated that I have taken a few tumbles. It was on those carpeted stairs that I fell down.

Our new home has these sticky carpet pads on each step (not a runner) and I honestly dont use the stairs often (only 2 empty rooms upstairs) I am sure it will be a matter of time b/f I take a tumble. Carpet or no carpet, I'm a klutz.

Although I dont love the stair carpet pads, once we reproduce, I will probably do a padded runner. Also, we bought the house from a couple who had a 1 yr old.

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Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

I don't know why but I think a runner would make it more easier for you to trip - maybe get those tread things instead...

Re: Spinoff to Stairs...Carpet vs. Wood?

We have wood floors but a runner on our stairs. I am PG and have a 8 month old son, I feel much comfortable with having carpet on the steps.

Our runner is in the middle so you can still see wood on the sides.

Message edited 10/1/2010 4:40:46 PM.