Handrails Make All the Difference When it Comes to Safety

Weather Changes – In Boston as Well as Anywhere – Think of Safety – Think of HandRails

Imagine yourself invited to an important fund-raiser at one of the top hotels in Boston.  You bought a brand new designer gown weeks ago, and just recently purchased a pair of new heels, which happen to be the latest fashion trend.  When you arrived the weather is in the low 60s, and now just a few hours later, it’s dropped into the mid 40s with a chance of snow.  You’ve asked your significant other to grab the car, and as you reach the exit it begins to drizzle.  With falling temps the rain changes to snow before your eyes, and the wind picks up.  As you stand adjacent to the door ready to exit it suddenly hits you – the heels you were so excited to wear for the night don’t have a grip on the underside, leaving you vulnerable to slipping on the steps.

Fortunately, you happen to spot a pair of handrails that follow a staircase exiting the hotel off to the side.  There’s no cover overhead, so you are glad for the extra support of the handrails that help you carefully navigate your way to the car.

Before long you’ve made it back to the car with minimal water damage to the shoes and gown.

Handrails seem like a small thing, but when it comes to safety and liability, they are a big thing.  Think of how many people walk in and out of your hotel or other business with the chance of falling down the stairs, ramp, or other areas.  All it takes is one fall to make life miserable with hospital bills you would have to pay. The National Safety Council attributes slip and fall injuries to account for 8.9 million visits to the emergency department (2011).   The average cost of a slip trip and fall is $28,000.

Damage to Your Hotel’s Reputation and Customer Service

As business owners we all know the power of the voice of the customer.  All it takes is one slip and the word gets out that a business is self-centered and not customer focused.  An upset customer tells five times as like to talk about their unhappy experience as a happy customer is.

If you have been weighing the decision to install handrails, this example may persuade you to jump in and make the decision to buy them.  The idea of installing handrails could give you the peace of mind that your customers will be safer.  After all, the reason why you got into the hotel business is to see the happy smiles on the faces of your contented customers, building relationships that will last a lifetime.