Fall prevention starts with proper lighting, without it, falls can lead to costly lawsuits, bad PR, and, worst of all, a poor guest experience. If you’re a theater owner or operator, you are likely already aware of the risks associated with patrons falling inside your theater. The reality is that falls will happen, but it’s your responsibility to be proactive in ensuring a safe theater for your guests.
Movie Theater Injury Statistics
Litigation is not something that theater operators want to deal with, but lawsuits do happen—and when they do, they often make headlines. In a few recent cases, lawsuits have cost theaters close to $2 million in settlements. Other cases have seen settlements such as 1.1 million or 700k.
In most cases, trips and falls are avoidable. Often, well-placed and efficient lighting, or even a simple wet floor sign, can be enough to ensure patrons are aware of their surroundings and can enter and exit the theater safely. However, ensuring that your lighting is not only safely installed and efficient, but also enhances your guests’ experience, is not as easy. There’s a reason movie theaters don’t just shine bright lights on the stairs, walls, and railings: it looks horrible and pulls guests out of the theater experience.
Making sure your theater is well lit and safe should not be something to fear or drag out, but rather something to prepare for—and an opportunity to enhance your guests’ experience.
Brief History of Cinema Step Lighting
Steps were lit for years in cinema. However, the lighting systems used were very unreliable and often broke down, plus the overall lighting quality was terrible. Then along came LEDs, which allowed lighting to be placed on the walls to shine directly on the steps. Despite having the steps and landing well lit, people are still falling. While many now use LEDs, they fall short when it comes to aesthetics, durability, and maintenance. Most notably, LEDs often create glare that can be seen on screen and for people with glasses.
Enter Light Tape – Our patented technology not only eliminates the glare due to even illumination, but also maintains high durability whether on steps, walls, or for accent lighting. Comparing LEDs to Light Tape, the difference is clear and so is the pathway.
Theater Fall Protection Solutions – What to look for
A proper theater fall protection solution starts with lighting, if people can’t see, they will fall no matter what. Installing our solution costs just a few thousand dollars—far less than the hundreds of thousands a fall-related lawsuit could cost. But as with any good fall protection solution, it is not just about the cost, and in the case of theaters there are other factors to consider as well. Whether you’re using Step Guard on to prevent falls or some other options, the factor below should be part of any decision you make.
Aesthetics
In theaters, auditoriums, gyms, and many other spaces, aesthetic lighting is key. The customer experience should be cohesive, not disrupted by off-putting lighting, seating, smells, or other distractions. LEDs often fall short, as they can create glare and reflections throughout the theater (there’s a reason many photos of finished theater lighting systems are taken with the lights on—you can’t see the glare).
Light Tape provides targeted, effective illumination—especially for step noses—without causing glare or flooding your cinema with unnecessary light, creating a safer and more visually appealing environment for patrons.
Durability
Whatever product you use for step or wayfinding lighting, it needs to withstand heavy foot traffic from a variety of shoes, weights, and speeds. Every StepGuard solution is built to last—capable of handling heavy loads, and resistant to vibration and impact. Even under high physical stress, StepGuard continues to illuminate, so you can count on dependable performance year after year without worrying about constant repairs or replacements. Our competitors try to compete by using cheap plastic instead of high-quality metal, but we have found that plastic doesn’t hold up over time.
Maintenance & Repair
If your lighting system is broken, it’s not preventing falls—in fact, it could even be causing them. While our assembly is done in Colombia, in the FreeZone, all the parts that would be needed to repair our products are made entirely in the USA, ensuring replacement parts are readily available and can be shipped quickly. This local manufacturing means minimal downtime for your theater, auditorium, gym, or other venues. Additionally our products have removable rubber inserts to cover mounting points, allowing for easy servicing while maintaining a clean appearance.
Installation
With many types of LEDs or other lighting solutions, there can be a lot of work and remodeling needed to install these lights, only for them to fail or need replacing a few years later.
Installation with Light Tape is quick and flexible, making it easy to fit your project’s schedule and needs. Our systems arrive ready to install and require only basic tools like a drill. The process is straightforward: measure and mark where the lighting will go, mount the fixtures securely, and connect them to power.
Warranty
With any large purchase, it’s important to know you’re protected, and a solid product warranty is one of the best ways to ensure that.
To check out our warranty details click here.
Energy
It takes energy to provide lighting. In the case of LEDs, much of that energy is converted to heat, which then requires a more robust HVAC system to remove and replace it with cooler air. Light Tape solutions, however, generate minimal heat due to their compact design, helping to reduce heating and cooling costs. While this is not directly related to fall prevention, it does help save money, which can then be invested in other fall prevention solutions such as egress and exit lighting.
Lighting You Can Trust, Safety You Can See
Light Tape has been designing products specifically for theaters for almost 25 years, with a focus on safety and aesthetics.
Additionally, our lighting helps you get the most out of your projectors, leaving no wash on the screen and ensuring an immersive experience.
Theater step lighting – The StepGuard™ Climax
Proper step lighting is vital for safety and guest comfort. OSHA requires it to prevent accidents, and clear lighting helps patrons navigate stairs easily. The StepGuard™ Climax combines advanced features to deliver reliable, effective, and user-friendly step illumination.
- Dual Illumination: Provides lighting on both the tread and riser surfaces for maximum visibility and safety.
Shrouded Light Output: Specially designed to prevent glare and screen wash, preserving the optimal viewing experience. - Mechanical Mounting: All parts are screwed (not glued), ensuring long-term stability and making installation straightforward.
- Accessible Design: Removable rubber inserts cover mounting points, allowing for easy servicing while maintaining a clean appearance.
- Retrofit Compatibility: The mounting position is adaptable to existing stair structures, making it ideal for both new builds and upgrades.
- U.S. Cinema Standards: Designed specifically for U.S. cinema requirements, with other formats available for international applications.
Theater Aisle and Pathway Lighting – StepGuard™ Aisle lighting
StepGuard™ Aisle Lighting offers a two-part system that evenly illuminates aisles in theaters, lecture halls, churches, auditoriums, and more, providing clear, attractive lighting designed for both safety and convenience:
- Custom Shapes: Available in a variety of shapes to fit unique theater designs and layouts.
- Energy Efficient: Consumes minimal power, helping to lower overall energy costs.
- Durability: Built to last, withstanding heavy foot traffic and daily wear.
- Easy Installation: Designed for straightforward setup, saving time and minimizing disruption.
- Made in USA: Manufactured domestically for fast shipping and reliable quality.
- No Heat: Operates without generating excess heat, further reducing energy bills and enhancing safety.
So How do I Avoid Falls in My Theater?
Falls in movie theaters are a serious risk that can lead to injuries, costly lawsuits, and worst of all, unhappy guests. The right lighting plays a crucial role in preventing these accidents by clearly illuminating steps and aisles without causing glare or distractions. With over 30 years of expertise, these solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of theaters, helping you create a safer, more inviting environment for everyone.
Disclaimer: While our products are designed to enhance visibility and improve safety, they cannot guarantee that falls will be completely prevented. Users should always exercise caution when navigating stairs and pathways.
