Making Outdoor Areas Accessible & Safe for Everyone

by Louie Delaware, Founder of the Living in Place Institute

Attention is growing rapidly about making the inside of all homes accessible, comfortable and safe. However, outside areas are often not discussed, so here are just a few ideas about, “The Outside.”

Driveways

Allow enough space for a person to enter and exit a car without stepping off the driveway surface. Open your car doors and measure between the outside of the door edges. This dimension would allow enough room to comfortably and safely step out of a vehicle carrying a child, sacks of groceries, or to help a family member or friend. Slope no more than 1:18.

Walkways to the Entry Doors & Around the Home

Walkways should be smooth. Right angle corners can add a challenge. Create curves or wider areas at the corners. Instead of steps to make grade changes, use sloped walkways (max 1:18) and if long, add rest areas. Install automatic lighting to improve both beauty and safety.

Steps

Safe design is no-steps. If unavoidable, install handrails on both sides. Extend each railing at least one foot beyond both the top and bottom so an individual can hold on as they approach and leave and the area. Install automatic lighting and electrical outlets for future stair or wheelchair lifts.

Outdoor Utilities

It is preferable for electrical panels to be inside. However, if they are outside, add clear and easy access for when a circuit breaker needs to be reset. This is especially important with the code increase of ground fault and arc fault breakers, which need to be reset more often. Hose faucets should be easy to reach (min. 24” above grade) from a smooth pathway.

Storage and Maintenance

Storage sheds should be easily accessible with clear, smooth pathways. Include automatic lighting. Build to minimize home maintenance needs, therefore lessening the chance of a homeowner accident.

Playground, Hot Tub and Entertainment Areas

When do you have enough safety in these areas? Never! Your responsibility is to find the right experts to ensure all the parts, pieces and designs are as safe as possible. Child safety experts are invaluable for understanding safety for everyone in these areas.

Elevated Decks & Balconies

Many older homes have baluster spacing more than 4” apart, making it easy for a young child to fall through. Others have decorative wrought iron features or horizontal cables that make it easy for a child to climb the railing. Sometimes furniture, plants and or other items are too close to a railing.

In Summary

These are just a few of the many safety ideas to include in every project. Call us for a consultation on how to make the outside, and inside, as safe as possible for everyone.