1. Plush carpeting is dangerous on stairways, as the foot sinks into the carpeting and possibly becomes "caught," causing the person to trip.
	2. Do not use the same color carpeting for the stairs and the top and bottom landing. This makes it hard to tell where the steps end and the landings begin; many people may think there's another step and a fall can occur. Avoid very dark colors on the steps and landings, as the person may think this area is a hole into which they may fall.
3. Plastic treads easily rip or pull off and can cause a fall if the person's foot becomes caught in the tread.
	4. Oriental runners can be beautiful but patterned carpets of any kind can make stair climbing treacherous and confusing for someone with dementia.