Safest carpet for the stairs

[MixedFeeling]

We have an old cottage with a very steep, narrow and windy staircase. I've already fallen down it once

What's the safest thing to carpet it with? Had been thinking of a Roger Oates stripy runner but is there anything which might be less slippy?

What do you have on your feet when walking on the stairs, are you in slippers, just socks or bare feet?
Did you actually slip or was it a footing issue that caused the slip?

I fell down these once & it was because my foot arch ended on the stair nose so I just slipped. I really hurt my back at the time & it made me very cautious for a long time but I’ve never had an issue since -touch wood!

Is the current carpet quite worn with a flat pile? That could make it slippery. I’ve no clue what the best option is but interested to see suggestions as ours will need replacing soon.

Coir might be worth looking at. More grip due to it's texture.

We have a staircase like this - terrifying, but not going anywhere. It's the oldest bit of a listed building and when we moved in was the main reason the previous owners hadn't been able to go upstairs in the last ten years.

I ended up painting ours and putting sand in the paint to keep it gritty, as anything else felt like it would round the narrow treads into a slope. We also have a decent hand rail and bought a couple of black Laila rails from Nkuku. They are supposed to be for a kitchen but we use them as handhands at the top and bottom of the stairs. They have made a big difference, although it still frightens me every time a child decides to climb the narrow side for fun.

Could you not get a new staircase? If the staircase is listed, maybe an architect could think of a way to add a second staircase?

We have a pure wool carpet which now it’s bedded in, has a lot of grip. We go up and down bare footed for extra grip - does mean a pair of slipper at both the top and bottom! Also I’ve fitted those safety grab rails top and bottom as well as a chunky hand rail. All this, plus doing the two step shuffle when going downstairs mean we both feel safer. Do tend to go up on all fours though!!
Failing downstairs or even up them is frightening and painful. Seriously looking into either a stair lift or even a simple one floor lift!

Another vote for looking at what you have on your feet. I kick off any slip-on shoes/slippers before using the stairs, as I want to avoid falling.

A lift? it's a listed cottage and also not everyone has £1000s spare.

It’s an option and around £23k. For us, not far of having a different design of staircase - assuming we could even get planning permission to change the existing one. Yet cheaper than moving.

You want something that’s fairly low pile that won’t warp. We have a similar staircase and have a polyester carpet

Yes we all have a spare £23k 🙄

The op asked for options and suggestions. Have just responded with options we’ve considered and looked into.
zero need for you to get your knickers in a twist.

my parents had an Oates stripy runner - I found it very slippery, and also the strips confuse your eyes and make it harder to see the edges of the steps.

if you really want to stop people slipping, you need rubber gritty treads like this but they are pretty hideous
https://www.safetread.co.uk/anti-slip-stair/stair-tread-covers/decorative-stair-tread-black