A Guide To Stairlift Safety
- by Alfix Stairlifts
- •
- 29 Mar, 2019
- •
Many people purchase a stairlift with the intention of maintaining a sense of independence and being able to safely access areas of their home they may have previously struggled to do so, this makes stairlifts ideal for those who live alone. Although, many people have great concerns regarding stairlift safety - particularly if the person using the stairlift is elderly or vulnerable. Safety, especially within the home, is a huge concern for any homeowner and at the very least you want to have the reassurance that not only will a stairlift allow for independence but also ensure that you, or your loved one, are completely safe when using it. Read on to discover some of the main tips and information to ensure stairlift safety.
Before using the stairlift, it's really useful to get yourself into a routine of making a few safety checks. In no time this will become second nature to you but in those early stages of using the stairlift, try and consider:
● Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions and read these thoroughly prior to using the stairlift
● Do not attempt to try and use the stair lift if it is being used by someone else
● Always keep pets and children out of the vicinity when the stairlift is in use
● If you seem to notice anything unusual about your stairlift such as strange noises coming from the motor or irregular movements, arrange to have an engineer come and take a look at it and do not use it in the meantime.
● When getting seated, sit back comfortably with your arms on the rests and your feet placed into the footrests.
● Always fasten your seatbelt prior to starting your journey - falling from the seat due to lack of seat belt usage is the most common cause of injury from stairlift use.
● Make sure any long clothing such as skirts, dresses, or long scarves are tucked in as the material could very easily become trapped.
● Seatbelt - this may sound obvious, but the seatbelt is arguably the most important part of the stairlift in regards to safety. The belt will go across the lap and can adjust to ensure the passenger is securely fitted in place
● The battery - if you have concerns regarding the power supply in your home and worry about how you would use a stairlift in the event of a power cut, stairlifts come with a backup battery power supply. This should hold enough power for 7-8 trips.
● Key switch - this will prevent any unauthorised usage of the stairlift - particularly ideal if you have youngsters around.
● Emergency stop setting - every stairlift will have an emergency stop setting or emergency brake. The general speed of a stair lift will be relatively slow at an average pace of 0.16mph and 0.34mph limiting the stopping distance of it allowing it to come to a complete stop without any sudden dangerous jerk movements.
Alfix Stairlifts offer safe, high quality, stairlifts tailored to your needs and the design of your home. Safety is paramount to us and we understand the importance of selecting a stairlift company you can rely on. With this in mind, browse our range of stairlifts online or get in touch today.
