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Our Top Tips for Stair Lift Safety

Comfortable, efficient, and user-friendly, stair lifts make moving up and down the stairs safe and fast for the physically disabled and the aged. While a stair lift is an important part of your home, it can cause severe injury if it ends up in the wrong hands or if it’s poorly handled.

If you have a stair lift in your home or you are planning to get one, it is paramount to ensure that you are completely familiar with the basic safety measures and mechanisms of the equipment in order to keep the rider or other family members out of harm’s way whenever the stair lift system is in operation.

Here are a few stair lift safety tips:

Obstruction Sensors

A perfect home stair lift must be able to sense any obstacle on its path. Most modern models are fitted with safety sensors (safety edges) that automatically and smoothly halt the lift when they detect any form of obstacle on the stairs, such as pets or falling objects. Anything in its path can cause the lift to break, exposing the user to injury in case of a crash.

Some models feature pressure sensitive sensors located around the footrest and carriage. These modifications help in preventing the seat from crushing any obstructions that may be underneath the chair, such as pets.

Call and Send Units

These remote control units are supplied as standard equipment to enable the user to operate the stair lift remotely up and down the staircase. These gadgets can either be handheld or mounted on the wall.

To ensure safety, avoid placing anything on top of the controllers as this can trigger erratic operation of your stair chair, causing accidents. Stow the controllers when not in use, with one at the bottom and the other at the top of the stairs for convenience.

Seatbelts

It is essential that you use your seatbelt whenever you use your stair lift. For infirm individuals, however, supervision may be necessary. Every model is fitted with an adjustable seat belt to enhance comfort, as well as to prevent you from falling off the chair in the instance of an accident.

When fastening the belt, insert the clasp into the buckle. A positive click indicates that the lock has engaged. When removing your seat belt, it is important that you hold the belt firmly as it retracts, as it can retract too quickly, resulting in injury.

Key Switches

If you have kids or visitors around your home, you might consider having a key switch to prevent unauthorized usage of the stair lift. Kids should be discouraged from treating the chair lift for stairs NJ as a plaything, which can lead to injury or equipment failure.

The bottom-hinged section is potentially hazardous and can cause injury if kids are allowed to play on or around it.

Locking Swivel Seat

Exiting the stair lift at the top of the stairs is probably the most dangerous part of the journey, as it can be particularly hard for people with disability or mobility problems to transfer onto the landing. For safety concerns, choosing a model with a locking swivel seat may help lessen the hazard of falling.

A swivel seat will allow the user to exit the chair lift for stairs NJ safely, while allowing him or her to turn the chair and step forward onto the flat landing. Additionally, when in a locked position it can act as a barrier, preventing a fall that may occur due to loss of balance.

Footrest Raiser

Footrests are placed extremely close to the floor surface to stop at the same level with the top step for absolute safety when landing. They are also fitted with safety edges to detect any obstructions when in transit.

For users with back problems, an optional powered footrest raiser might be an ideal choice. The powered footrest folds away in one smooth, easy action, without requiring the user to bend. It also gives more room to your stairs, which minimizes accidents and congestion.

Carrying Capacity

Most stair lifts are designed to carry one person at a time whose weight falls within parameters set by the manufacturer. Overloading can lead to unsafe strain that can eventually lead to breakage or accidents.

Maintaining Chair Lifts for Stairs NJ

It is vital to have your chair lift for stairs NJ checked by a professional if you see any signs of wear and tear. Although some of the problems may not have shown in the error code, having it inspected can save you money and prevent the occurrence of a future accident.

Here at Pennsylvania Stair Lifts, we know what a stair lift means to you or your loved one. Contact us today, and we will give you great insight on safety and maintenance of your unit. Let us help you to be safe.

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