Highway Energy Services has launched an “innovative” device, designed for people who are elderly, disabled, or recovering from leg operations, to help prevent injuries relating to falling down the stairs.

Stair Guard is a stair safety device that aims to protect the user from fatal or near-fatal injuries because of falling on or down the stairs. It promises to give users added reassurance when climbing or descending stairs, saving “many lives and broken bones” according to the manufacturer.

In the UK, approximately 290,000 people are seriously injured and over 500 people die every year as a result of a fall on steps or stairs, as noted in the ‘Analysis of lower limb movement to determine the effect of manipulating the appearance of stairs to improve safety: A linked series of laboratory-based, repeated measures studies‘.

There are a number of blocks that are anchored to the wall at intervals of approximately 0.7 m; they are manufactured from high-tensile structural aluminium and fully heat treated, Highway Energy Services says.

Stair Guard is provided with a lightweight seatbelt device, which is fitted – usually by the user – around their waist and connected to the main cable. The main cable that runs the length of Stair Guard is stainless steel stranded and will carry upwards of two tonnes.

Stair Guard can be easily removed at the bottom of the staircase or the top as appropriate.

AT Today requested evidence for the claims made but did not receive any.

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