Question:
My brother recently moved into a house. They have 3 steps leading up to the house. There is no banister or wall on the sides of these steps.
The issue is this: They have asked my mother to pick up their baby from day care couple of times a week and bring him home. She feels very uncomfortable walking up stairs where she has nothing to hold onto, even if it’s only a couple of steps. She is very afraid of falling.
In this case, does my brother have a chiyuv to put up a banister? Kibud Eim/don’t put a stumbling block before the blind? Other?
They have told her that they will not put up a banister because they say it will be ugly.
Answer:
A person is obligated to remove an potential threat of danger from his property.How will your brother feel if if she falls ח”ו?
Sources:
Devorim 22:8, Rambam Hilchos Rotseach 11:4, CH:M 427:8
