How to Install a Safety Railing, Cont'd

10. Prepare railings
Secure the railing piece on the workbench and bore a hole into the end. Add a block of wood to the drill press base to make it more stable.

Use a larger, 1" bit to drill a second hole into the underside of the handrail. This second hole will intersect the first.

11. Connect posts to railings
To connect the railings to the newel posts, slip the hole in the end of the rail over the hanger bolt that is attached to the newel post. You should see the hanger bolt inside the larger hole drilled on the underside of the railing.

Slip a washer inside the hole and over the end of the bolt. The washer has a convex surface that will form to the inside of the hole and provide a flat surface on which to install the combination nut and washer.

The best way to get the nut into position is with a special wrench that usually is included in the railing kit. Once the nut is in place, carefully tighten it with the wrench.

Once the railing is attached, set the base of the first newel post on the floor, and slide the end of the handrail over the hanger bolt that was installed earlier in the center of the rosette. Add the washer and nut.

12. Install balusters
Install the pin on the bottom of each baluster into one of the holes that were drilled in the toe rail. Tip each baluster sideways to position the head of the baluster into the slot on the underside of the railing.

Once all of the balusters are in place, permanently attach the newel post plates to the floor with screws.

Use a nail gun to tack small finished spacers called fillet strips into the slot on the underside of the handrail between each baluster. The spacers help hold the tops of the balusters in position.

Further secure each baluster with a nail driven at an angle up through the top of the baluster and in to the underside of the railing. This is called a toe nail.

There are many reasons to improve our homes and safety, especially child safety, is one of the most important. A project like this one not only protects children, but also makes a space look so much more attractive.