Exterior railings and balconies and decks are a safety feature for your family and guests. It is important to inspect the posts and railings to make sure they are still secure. Rain, sun and other harsh elements can cause the railings and posts to deteriorate and fail. This is an important task to ensure the safety of your family and for insurance purposes.
Inspecting your railings takes diligence in looking at the vertical posts, the top and bottom side rails, the balusters, and the top rail. Placing pressure on these components can give you an indication if the connections are loose at all.
You should also check with your local building code for dimensional requirements. Railings should usually be 36” high, and certain spacing between the balusters.
Here is a video from Decks.com