Stairlifts are incredibly useful tools that help people with mobility issues become more independent – and able to move to any corner of their home without having to remain trapped on the same floor. However, when the moment to pick a stairlift comes, you may find yourself questioning whether it’s a good decision or not, due to the misconceptions about them.
We’ve discussed common misconceptions surrounding stairlifts before, but because many people still have many questions about them, we decided to focus once again on debunking myths surrounding stairlifts.
They’re Difficult to Maintain
Contrary to what you may believe, stairlifts are actually easy to maintain. With regular upkeep, these machines will last for a very long time, and don’t require anything special on your part. They’re easy to clean, even the farthest recesses, so you don’t have to worry about dust build-up.
As all machines, stairlifts need to be serviced on a regular basis, in order to ensure that everything is working properly – and to fix any possible issues.
The Walls Are Not Strong Enough
The first misconception is that stairlifts are attached to the walls, which is not the case. The stairlift will be installed on your staircase, which won’t damage the walls, since they don’t even touch or lean against them. The stairlift is held in place with support brackets, which hold the rail and the chair at the right distance to the floor, meaning any banisters you may have will also be untouched.
They Can Start Moving by Themselves
Another myth that prevents many people from installing a stairlift in their homes, for fear of an accident! Your stairlift can’t move unless you control it, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding up or down a flight of stairs. Stairlifts come with many different safety features that lock them in place when not in use, meaning they won’t suddenly start moving until you wish it so.
They Don’t Stop for Unexpected Obstructions
The safety features present in modern stairlifts also ensure they stop moving as soon as there’s an unexpected obstruction. This is because they’re designed specifically to protect the user, as well as any non-users, in the home. And while it’s unlikely that an obstruction may block the path of the stairlift, unexpected obstacles like pets can be a big concern for some clients.
Stairlifts come equipped with ways to automatically stop if necessary, so that the user can safely remove the obstruction and continue using the stairlift.
Choosing a stairlift is a very important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are several misconceptions surrounding them. Here at ALS Stairlifts we strive to answer these questions and ensure that you choose the right stairlift for your needs, so if you’d like to learn more about our stairlifts please don’t hesitate to contact us today on 0800 046 3438.