Help - need to make a quick decision on garden steps

[cassell]

We have a victorian mid terrace, double doors from the kitchen to garden, there's about a 1m drop to garden from the doors (main access to garden, other access similar drop). There were awful and v dangerous big concrete steps, they have now gone but I need to decide on the replacement this weekend. I've decided on wooden steps but can't decide the configuration and would welcome some advice please...

I have 2 ds (ds1 nearly 4, ds2 10mths) and I worry that if I have a straight run of steps down from the door (would have railings either side) that they could run through the house, tumble down the stairs and crack their heads on the patio (brick). However a straight run of steps would definitely look best and give the most space in the garden.

My other thought was to build a balcony out from the doors and offset the steps down - this would slow down any running children but wouldn't look as good, take up more of the limited patio space, could be a bit awkward to carry stuff down etc.

Am I over-worrying on the falling risk? We do plan to sell within a few years and it's a family home - would straight steps put you off? I've thought about some temporary rubber matting at the base of the steps during the toddler/Pre-schooler/clumsy phase - is that a stupid idea?

Any thoughts welcomed...

Thank you

I would go for straight steps down from the door if that would look the nicest. Make them as wide and shallow as possible. Temporary rubber matting is a good idea if it makes you feel less anxious.

Children are very creative about how they damage themselves so if you make a soft landing they'll just find something else to injure themselves on in my experience.

Concrete I ugly but wouldn't wood be slippy?

Good point rhubarb ds1 clambered happily over a ruined castle yesterday and then fell over on a flat path

herhonesty I'm thinking about some sort of anti slip paint/tape or something, I think most materials suitable for steps are a bit slippery.

So 1 vote for straight - any others?

Rhubarb is right. Get the straight steps and a babygate/rubber matting.

If your children are anything like mine they would hurt themselves in a padded cell.

If you can I would make the gradient as shallow as possible, to make it easier for the DC and you - thinking of carrying small people, toys, bottle of gin down the stairs.