Taking the Stairs

Glare and shadows can make stairs a little unpredictable. But with a few steady habits they can be safer to navigate. Here’s a simple approach that keeps you in control every step of the way.

As you come up to a stairway, just give yourself a moment. There’s no need to rush. A brief pause lets you get oriented and check where everything is before you start.

Reach for the handrail and keep a comfortable hold on it. That rail is your best source of information: height of the steps, rhythm of the staircase, and any changes coming up. And if you’re walking with a human guide, you might find it helpful to switch to their side where you can hold the rail as well. It gives you two clear points of reference—your guide and the railing.

Before you actually step up or down, take a second to line yourself up squarely with the first step. If you’re going up, feel for the riser with your toe so you know exactly where that first lift begins. If you’re heading down, place your toes at the edge of that top step so you’re perfectly aligned. It’s a small adjustment that makes the rest of the staircase more predictable.

As you move along, the handrail will tell you what’s ahead. When you reach a landing, you’ll feel the rail level out or turn. That’s your cue to pause, reorient, and then keep going in the new direction.

And one more thing: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with placing both feet on each step before taking the next one. It’s steady, it’s controlled, and it
gives you a clear sense of where you are.

These techniques aren’t just about being cautious—they’re about being confident. Stairs become far more manageable when you let the rail guide you, take the pauses you need, and set your own pace.