How do I reduce risk of slipping on corner of varnished wooden staircase?

I don't know about Ireland-based specifically but No Skidding Products Inc. of Canada does ship internationally and their water based slip resistant epoxy will work find on indoor wood, specifically wooden steps:

you'll probably need the fine profile version.  I've contacted them on your behalf regarding Ireland-based source of their product.

 Susan from No Skidding Products had replied to my inquiry with some products that will be most useful for residential wooden stairs. I have the product brochures in PDF format but, unfortunately, this system only supports image attachments (see below), so I just have to list the products here.

They all come in clear which would work best with your current wood finish and they are all stick to and compatible with wood:

<strong>NS5100</strong> - a clear (and other colors) no-skid tape, in case you only needed to treat the edges, comes in 1" rolls and 3/4" wide strips , ready immediately upon application. <strong>Product No 11953C </strong> - No Skidding® Slip Resistant Acrylic Clear Aerosol Spray, Product No. 11935C is a clear acrylic resin blend that air dries rapidly and retains transparency, durability, flexibility and non yellowing characteristics. Suitable for shoe and barefoot traffic - something I would want for my home, too :) . Comes in 12 oz cans and takes 20 minutes to dry at room temperature. <strong>NS4100</strong> - another anti slip vinyl safety tape that comes in a barefoot - friendly fine texture, I'd say perhaps somewhat more appropriate for home use than NS5100 which is 60 grit coarse. Comes in 1" rolls and also 3/4" wide strips <strong>Product No 71378 </strong> SRC Slip-Resistant Floor Cleaner #71378 - this one is interesting in that it's not permanently attached to the surface, you use it to clean the floor with after which it leaves an "invisible monomolecular slip resistant film is left on the surface". It is compatible with waxed wood floors. its applications includes damp mopping or spray buffing, so I'm not sure if it's so great for stairs per se. But if you were also looking for an anti-slip treatment in your kitchen or bathroom, that would be a perfect one.

Last but not least, Susan had provided the contact for the distributor of their products in Limerick, Ireland: Floor Solutions (

) ph. 353878331421  Please contact t hem regarding additional information on No Skidding products.  

 I've had the same problem and found that buying a few runners and other rugs is a great way to  not only keep your wood floors safe and clean, but to prevent slips and falls while walking on them.

Sometimes people use different combinations when making stairs, varying from everything being a natural finish to the stringers being painted and the treads and risers being natural. 

Choose a wood that's appropriate for the amount of traffic in your home.  You can build anything, including wood stair treads, out of almost any wood type. Some, though, are sturdier and wear better than others.