The purpose of a stairlift is to offer you security in your home, so it’s important to understand all of the safety features and best operating practices for your stairlift if you want to get the best use out of it. With that in mind, we’ve put together this handy guide to stairlift safety – everything you need to know when you’re planning on having a stairlift installed in your home.
The Basics: Understanding Your Stairlift
Like anything that you’re going to be operating on a regular basis, it’s important to understand how your stairlift actually functions before you start to use it. There are two options for powering a stairlift – batteries, which are now the most common, or mains supply. With a battery-powered stairlift, the batteries will recharge themselves automatically between trips, so the key thing to remember is to always leave the charger plugged in to a live power supply!
These stairlifts are ideal because they will continue to work even in a power cut, usually for around 6-8 journeys. Be aware that if your stairlift uses mains supply, it will not continue to work if the power goes out – so plan ahead for this eventuality.
Operating the stairlift is a simple process of using a switch on the arm which will start or stop at your command, meaning that you can move it at your own pace. If you find that the stairlift has been left in the wrong place, you will usually have the option to call it remotely to the top or bottom of the stairs.
Essential Safety Tips
Once you know how your stairlift is being powered and how to operate it, it’s ready for use! Here are the essential tips that you should remember for maximum security:
The first thing to ensure is that no pets or other people are currently using the stairs – the last thing you want is an obstacle to bump into! Likewise, make sure that other people in your house know not to leave any obstructions on the staircase, and check that no items have become tangled up in the mechanism.
Once you’re ready to go, fasten your harness or seatbelt before starting to move the chair. If you’re taking liquids with you then keep them as secure as possible, as even the smallest drop could cause a fault if it gets into the operating mechanism.
This probably goes without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway – this is the complete guide after all – no crazy antics on the stairlift! This includes never using it for more than one person at the same time or using it as a makeshift transport system for furniture.
What if there’s a Problem?
Although every stairlift is designed to be easy-to-use for you in your home, if something goes wrong you should always contact a trained professional rather than try to tinker with it yourself, or ask a friend or relative. Get an expert to come and take a look and you can stop a fault developing into a hazard, keeping your stairlift safe and fully operational for longer.
It’s very rare that anything will go wrong with your stairlift, especially if you follow all of the precautions that we’ve outlined above: look after your stairlift and it will look after you!
If you think that a stairlift installation could be right for your home and you want to know more about specific details, the process that’s involved or the benefits that it could have for you then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, either online or at 0800 046 3438. Our professional and highly trained team will be more than happy to discuss it with you and help you choose the best stairlift solution!