Securing Rugs

One of the common problems in caring for an elderly person is to prevent them from tripping. Visiting nurse sent over a "mobility specialist" to an elderly person I know who then proceeded to secure the rugs to the wooden floor in the apartment with scotch-tape. After some comment, she returned the next day with duct tape.

Arghhh!!! The appropriate tape to use to secure rugs to a floor is what is called "Gaffer Tape". This is available in various colors and up to six inches in width at photographic and motion picture supply stores, as well as on the internet. This tape is used in the motion picture industry to prevent people from tripping over cables and securing material temporarily. It is very strong, durable, and designed to be able to withstand someone walking over it. Most importantly, it can be REMOVED without damaging the floor. Duct-tape, no matter the brand, will leave adhesive that cannot be removed without destroying an expensive polyurethaned floor, for example. Gaffer tape can be used to tape an extension cord to the floor that provides power to an oxygen generator or other life-saving equipment. The down side is that gaffer tape is expensive, but well worth the money. It is a good idea to replace the tape every three months or so to prevent permanant attachment of particles adhesive, nevertheless. Gaffer tape is also useful in taping heavy equipment so it cannot fall (oxygen tanks, for example), or attaching a radio to smooth surface.

[garrettandelsasmom]

Scotch tape?  And then duct tape?  Yikes!  I can't imagine either of those doing the job in the way I'd want it done!  Is Gaffer tape the brand name?  Can you get other versions of it in different brands?  Or is it all called Gaffer tape?

[caregiver222]

Gaffer tape is a generic term for a tape used primarily in the motion picture industry. It provides a strong water resistant bond to secure photographic mounts to cars or painted surfaces that can be removed easily without leaving glue residue or damaging the surface. It comes in various widths and colors. It is sold on the internet, at motion picture equipment rental stores and the better photographic supply stores. It is ideal for covering extension cord or cable that must be run over a floor that you don't want someone to trip on. That's what it is commonly used for on a movie set. It's a bit expensive, but the greatest thing since sliced bread. You can use it for everything duct-tape can be used for, only it can be easily removed. Thus, for hurricane protection you will have a mess getting duct-tape off the windows if you have taped them. Gaffer tape comes off zip....