Our own four walls are generally considered a place of safety and security. However, accident statistics tell a different story: millions of accidents occur in the home every year in Germany, and according to the Robert Koch Institute, a good 80 percent of these are due to falls. Stairs in particular can be a source of missteps with painful consequences. Slippery surfaces or loose carpet edges can be just as dangerous as inadequate lighting. Dark corners and harsh shadows on the steps can quickly lead to misjudging distances or completely overlooking the last step in the semi-darkness.

Good lighting can minimise such hazards and ensure greater safety at home. The technical possibilities go far beyond conventional ceiling lights. It is a good idea to direct the lighting exactly where sure-footedness is crucial: directly onto the steps. Flexibly installable strips such as the MaxLED Stair system from Paulmann can be attached either as direct step lighting, as side accents or discreetly to the handrail and stair stringers. Automation is a decisive factor for greater safety in everyday life. Those who step onto the stairs at night, still half asleep, often search in vain for the light switch. This is where wireless motion detectors come in, which guarantee detection over four metres and activate the light source automatically as soon as a person approaches. A special effect is both pleasing to the eye and decorative: the so-called lightwave function allows the light to gradually and gently illuminate.