Mobility scooters and wheelchair Lifts: Some Safety Tips

Mobility scooter and wheelchair lifts are God-send for wheelchair bound persons. They allow you to roam around independently both inside and outside a building. If installed in your home or in an institution, lifts help you climb stairs without having to get off from your wheelchair. But, to get the most from these devices, you should know how to use them safely. Here are some helpful guidelines in this respect.

Safety tips for mobility scooter/wheelchair lifts

The attempts to avoid unwanted happenings in a device like wheelchair lift is not as difficult as it may appear. All you need to do is to remember some basic tips.

Mobility scooter

The first thing you should do when buying a mobile scooter is to read and understand the manual. Know its limitations and ways you can compensate for them. Know that if yours is a 3-wheeler, you may not be able to take them to certain areas. A 4-wheeler is the best choice for someone who enjoys the outdoor life. The following are some more pointers.

1. Don’t try to get on or off until the scooter is turned off.
2. Do not drink alcohol when driving.
3. Refrain from changing the direction when the scooter is on.
4. Avoid using the items like garden hoses when cleaning out the device.
5. Take good care of your scooter.
6. Make sure that the battery is fully charged before taking it onto the road.

You should also plan your journey well in advance. Remember, the shortest may not be the best for your device. Refer to the manual when planning a trip.

Wheelchair lifts

Like all the devices designed for disabled persons, wheelchair lifts too are built to last long. They come packed with the features like an emergency stop, automatic lighting etc. Set aside a budget, do your own research and make a purchase. Don’t allow price to be the sole determinant. Inexpensive may not have the features you want in a safe lift.

How they work

Wheel chair lift works with the help of a rail system and a platform. The appliance is designed in such a way that a person can operate it without external assistance. The battery makes sure that it does not get stuck on the way even when access to electricity is not possible. When the user gets in, the flaps fold up on their own and carries him/her as per the instructions. When it enters the destination, they open automatically for the user to get out. Afterwards, it gets folded. This makes sure that it does not consume space on the stairs.

Here too, you would have to take good care of it if you want the lift to stay with you for long.

This is a small guide. Explore the Internet and abide by all the recommendations to get the most from mobility scooter or wheelchair lifts.

Explore Better Life Mobility and check available wheelchair lift for home or vehicle usage. You will be amazed with all mobility products they can offer. Go straight to wheelchair lift section of website and choose according to your wishes and budget.

Todd Dawson Is a freelance writer