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Original poster

Random step in house - trip hazard?

31 replies

Mosl · 09/02/2022 17:30

We're looking at a house which has a wide doubleway from the family room to the kitchen. There is a step about 10 cms deep in this doorway.
It is onto a tiled floor.
I think it is dangerous for toddlers (and potentially adults!) and I guess this is why this house hasn't sold.
Thoughts please.

OP posts:
LeroyJenkinssss · 09/02/2022 17:32

How old is the building? We have three single steps in various parts of the house and you just get used to it. It’s a bit much to say that is the reason why it hasn’t sold I would think.

PearPickingPorky · 09/02/2022 17:33

I used to think exactly the same as you, OP. To the extent I couldn't imagine why anyone would buy a house like that.

Then we had to stay in a house for a few months that had this and my toddlers learnt how to get up and down it safely straight away and it was no issue whatsoever.

Toddlers are pretty good at learning their surroundings.

FurierTransform · 09/02/2022 17:35

I doubt that's the reason the house hasn't sold. Personally I wouldn't even notice it.

PotteringAlong · 09/02/2022 17:35

You know it’s there. It will be a house you live in every day, where you go up and and down that step hundreds of times a day. It’s not a trip hazard. You won’t even notice it.

Original poster
Mosl · 09/02/2022 17:35

That's reassuring @LeroyJenkinssss.
I think it's victorian, but it hasn't got a lot of character left, another reason it hasn't sold I suspect!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mosl · 09/02/2022 17:37

Thank you for the feedback.
You've put my mind at rest! It's just been reduced so we'll go and have a second viewing.

OP posts:
Fairylightsongs · 09/02/2022 17:38

Can’t see how this is a trip hazard or would stop a house from selling, if someone doesn’t like it they can amend it very cheaply either with a ramp or new step. Plus if it’s victorian then plenty of folks have lived there for th last century and not had a problem that made them feel they needed o sort it

If you don’t like the house, move on.

Scarby9 · 09/02/2022 17:42

I have one into out of my kitchen (and a really difficult entry onto the stairs from one bedroom). I don't even think about it, and no one has ever fallen up or down it.

JustWonderingIfYou · 09/02/2022 17:45

We have a step down to the kitchen- large double doors from the lounge and another set of double doors from the playroom.

Toddler hasn't ever hurt himself on them- he has ridden his ride on toys down them too! He actually loves playing with cars on the step and sits on it to have a snack sometimes

bloodywhitecat · 09/02/2022 17:47

My blind in one eye, with a diagnosis of left sided cerebral palsy, 21 month old manages the similarly height step into our lounge with ease. He has never fallen on it.

Fairylightsongs · 09/02/2022 17:50

Most of us are used to steps as a concept. And as said, if it’s a problem for you personally or a member of your family possibly due to being infirm or disabilities, then it’s easily fixed.

But you sound like you’re looking for reasons to not want it, that you just don’t like it. If that’s the case, don’t go back for a second viewing, you won’t grow to love it.

RosiePosieDozy · 09/02/2022 17:58

With young children, it would put me off the house. Of course if you lived there, your children would get used to it. But children rushing around, being a little silly, trip up the step and hit their head. It could easily happen. I personally wouldn't be interested in the house unless it was an amazing bargain.

whywouldntyou · 09/02/2022 17:59

My (accident prone) 4 year old moved into our current house (with his 10 y o brother) and, despite having stairs with no bannister they never ONCE fell down the stairs. The day we moved in we explained they had to be very careful and they were (both adults now) they never messed about on the stairs. Children/toddlers have survived a darn sight worse than a single step. I grew up in a house with incredibly steep curved stairs, never fell down them. You could always put a mattress down just in case?

Fairylightsongs · 09/02/2022 18:05

@RosiePosieDozy

With young children, it would put me off the house. Of course if you lived there, your children would get used to it. But children rushing around, being a little silly, trip up the step and hit their head. It could easily happen. I personally wouldn't be interested in the house unless it was an amazing bargain.
Due to one step? Do you live in a bungalow or flat? I’ve never heard of anyone thay wouldn’t buy a house due to a step, especially since a ramp can be installed
BlueMongoose · 09/02/2022 18:10

I think it's much worse to have a flight of different-sized steps on the staircase than just one level change. We have that here, one big broad step, then a flight of standard height and width ones, a small landing, another broad shallow step, then 2 standard ones. And on top of that , a heavily patterned carpet ( you should never have a heavily patterned carpet on stairs- it makes it difficult to see the edges of the treads). I tripped on those stairs regularly for the first few months. I still sometimes almost trip on the flat landing, because for some weird reason my feet expect a step part way along there as well (I think there is a shadow from the banisters).

I would think that even a toddler would rapidly get used to just one simple step. If the tiles are a worry in case of running-around falls, maybe you could change that, rather than losing what might otherwise be a good house? Carpet tiles, or something with a bit more grip?

ExtremelyDelighted · 09/02/2022 18:13

We have two normal height steps from the kitchen to the rest of the house. When the DCs were at the rolling/crawling stage we had a stairgate there, but once they were walking it was great for them to practice on before they tackled the full staircase. In 20 years no one has ever tripped or fallen on them I don't think.

Original poster
Mosl · 09/02/2022 18:22

Thank you for all the feedback it is much appreciated.

OP posts:
Kiitos · 09/02/2022 18:38

I live in a house with at least 5 random indoor steps, including one in the middle of a bathroom. It isn’t an issue at all

SingingSands · 09/02/2022 18:40

My parents went to view a beautiful bungalow with a huge lounge - part of which was raised two steps up, I think to take advantage of the sea view from a beautiful picture window. Unfortunately, when they took us to view it (and I don't really know why they did, but I was too nosy to say no) my DH started laughing and said it looked like the stage from our village hall. And then he got up on it and did a stupid tap-dance, with full on jazz hands and thinking he was being hilarious. That was enough to put them off!! My DM is very sensitive about stuff like that and could not be talked out of it after DH's stupid performance. I could have murdered him! The house was stunning!

Ribb · 09/02/2022 20:50

We have a wide step from open plan kitchen to dining area that leads out to garden. Two active DS (5 and 3) who bolt through the house constantly and, like others have said, never fallen. I like the feeling of a raised space and other people have said they like it too.

LeroyJenkinssss · 09/02/2022 21:10

@BlueMongoose you would hate our house Grin I didn’t mention the stairs which all have different tread depths and height with no consistent pattern. In fact the tread isn’t deep enough for me to put my foot straight so I go down them with my foot at an angle. My kids haven’t fallen down them once though.

ExtremelyDelighted · 09/02/2022 21:16

Yes, out main staircase is like that, you have to come down with your feet at an angle. No one has ever fallen doing that either.

TeapotCollection · 09/02/2022 21:28

Wouldn’t fancy my chances of staying on my feet after a few vodkas

Gladioli23 · 09/02/2022 21:40

I quite like mine, you can use it to stretch your calves out by dipping your heels off it. And then leaning through the doorway to stretch shoulders.

BustPipes · 09/02/2022 22:45

As someone with dyspraxia, I wouldn't buy it. And I imagine some elderly people would be put off.

But I can't see it significantly affecting the price - unless it's in a retirement village.