Washington, DC — Safety probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when considering remodeling a home. Whatever your reason, decisions will need to be made about furniture, lighting, floor and wall coverings, window treatments, paint and finishes, and dozens of other details. Each choice can affect the health and safety of the people in the home. But making safe choices doesn’t mean losing style.

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) offers 10 tips to make the home safer without losing style. The list, compiled by Lisa Bonneville, FASID, author of the new book The Safe Home, illustrates that safe doesn’t have to mean stodgy, notes the ASID.

Bonneville’s list includes items such as:

• Smaller floor tiles give you better traction on slippery wet floors.
  
• A matte finish on granite countertops can reduce glare, add contrast and reduce the number and frequency of accidents
  
• Use only cordless shades or blinds in a nursery or child’s room.
  
• Carpet hardwood stair treads for color and contrast, and to provide a non-slip surface.
  
• Line drapery to provide privacy and improve room acoustics.

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