Hello!
We have bought a house with 2.5 floors + basement with open stairs. There are no strips under the stair treads (is there a name for these strips?). Since we have small children that we don't want to fall between the steps, we were thinking of installing some. Currently, the gap is just over 14 cm. From what I understand, it should not exceed 10 cm. My plan is to buy planed timber with dimensions 15*43, cut it to suitable lengths, drill three holes through each length, and then screw these under each step (I was thinking of assembling a fixture that you slide onto the stairs so that all strips come in the same place).
Has anyone done something similar or does anyone else have reflections and tips on the whole thing?
Is the dimension sufficient?
Do you think you should pre-drill into the steps or just drive in the screw? What screw dimension would you use?
I gratefully accept tips.
Johan
We have bought a house with 2.5 floors + basement with open stairs. There are no strips under the stair treads (is there a name for these strips?). Since we have small children that we don't want to fall between the steps, we were thinking of installing some. Currently, the gap is just over 14 cm. From what I understand, it should not exceed 10 cm. My plan is to buy planed timber with dimensions 15*43, cut it to suitable lengths, drill three holes through each length, and then screw these under each step (I was thinking of assembling a fixture that you slide onto the stairs so that all strips come in the same place).
Has anyone done something similar or does anyone else have reflections and tips on the whole thing?
Is the dimension sufficient?
Do you think you should pre-drill into the steps or just drive in the screw? What screw dimension would you use?
I gratefully accept tips.
Johan
Not sure if I understood the problem. Are the stairs open and you're worried that the children might fall between the steps? Such small children who can get between the steps (i.e. < 1 year, I would guess) should not be on stairs at all, meaning it's important to have gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and otherwise accompany the children up and down the stairs until they've learned to use the stairs on their own. It seems extremely unlikely to me that older children would fall between the steps.
Perhaps I've misunderstood your problem?
Perhaps I've misunderstood your problem?
The problem is probably that the child crawls into the staircase between the steps.
15 mm will probably be just fine. Use screws that go as far into the steps as possible, but with a margin so they don't go through!
15 mm will probably be just fine. Use screws that go as far into the steps as possible, but with a margin so they don't go through!
We had an open staircase in our first house that was purchased from a staircase builder, it had exactly the type of guards you describe so it should work excellently.
There are different types of children, so I can absolutely imagine that some kind might fall between the steps, to think that you always have 100% control over children is to overestimate life
We had gates at both ends and into certain rooms which was necessary for the first son but unnecessary for the second
There are different types of children, so I can absolutely imagine that some kind might fall between the steps, to think that you always have 100% control over children is to overestimate life
We had gates at both ends and into certain rooms which was necessary for the first son but unnecessary for the second 
Please update on how it goes. I have a 1-year-old at home and stairs just like you.lofe said:
I also plan to install moldings when I find the time.
Considering using 21mm thick wood, to have a bit more to screw into, want to countersink the screws.
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On the stairs I am assembling now, these child safety strips are mounted with three screws each, but they have placed a small flat washer of white plastic between the strip and the step. I don't know why, but maybe it's something clever.