Key West’s layout and daily rhythm create real, predictable risk points:
- Tourist-heavy properties (hotels, inns, vacation rentals) often have high turnover of staff and guests—meaning hazards can be missed or not reported.
- Narrow entrances and older structures can mean tighter spacing, less forgiving step geometry, and stairways that are hard to keep consistently safe.
- Wet conditions from sea air, cleaning practices, and outdoor-to-indoor traffic can make stair surfaces slick.
- Nightlife foot traffic increases rushed movement, distractions, and uneven lighting conditions—especially near common stairwells and exterior access points.
When a fall happens, the key question becomes: Was this stairway reasonably safe for the people who were using it?


