Staircase falls often come down to a few recurring conditions. In Biddeford, these issues show up in both older structures and high-turnover rental or retail spaces:
- Handrails that don’t match the stairs (wrong height/spacing, unstable mounting, or missing sections)
- Worn treads and poor grip, especially where shoes track in moisture from winter weather
- Inconsistent step height on older landings or remodels that weren’t fully “brought up to code”
- Bad lighting in stairwells, entryways, and basements—particularly in multi-unit buildings
- Cluttered landings during peak seasons (deliveries, holiday items, seasonal storage)
- Loose carpeting or uneven flooring transitions near the first step
Even when the hazard seems “minor,” it can be enough to cause serious injuries—sprains, fractures, back injuries, and long-lasting mobility problems.


