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Using And Maintaining Your Stair Lift Safely
from:Climbing the stairs has consistently been rated as one of the
most challenging tasks for mobility challenged individuals. This
often results in people avoiding their stairs, which in turn can
result in large portions of their homes going unused. A stair
lift is one medical device that has been developed to solve this
problem and is incredibly popular. A stair lift is a medical
device that is used to transport a person up and down the
stairs. They generally feature a track that is secured to the
stairs. A small platform or chair is then sent up and down the
stairs resulting in what is in many ways a personal escalator.
The safety advantages associated with a stair lift are many, but
like any medical device it is imperative that it is used in the
manner it was intended. One of the most common mistakes made
when purchasing a stair lift is regarding the weight capacity.
All stair lifts are rated to safely support individuals up to a
certain weight. Even though they frequently use incredibly
strong materials, such as reinforced steel and special aircraft
cables, they are still designed and tested for individuals of a
certain weight. This weight capacity is often a reflection of
the design of the system it self, but also the manner in which
it is secured to the stairs. Stair lifts that support higher
weights generally cost a little more, and this is one reason
people sometimes 'fudge' their weight. Others may feel self
conscious about their weight, or if they are buying it for
someone else might not feel right asking about their weight. It
is important that you honestly evaluate your weight requirements
and include any anticipated weight growth. It is far better to
air on the side of caution and get a unit that supports too much
weight, than to purchase a unit that has an inadequate or
borderline weight capacity.
There are several practices that must be maintained while using
a stair lift to promote safety. It is important to never try to
stand or move while the stair lift is in motion. Many units come
with seat belts and if one is included, it is a good idea to
buckle up. Since your stair lift will be traveling up and down
the stairs it is very important that the stairs remain free from
clutter and debris. It is never a good idea to have clutter on
your stairs, but it can be very dangerous if you have a stair
lift. The problem with clutter on the stairs is two fold. On the
one hand if it interferes with your stair lifts movement, you
could damage your unit. Many stair lifts have built in sensors
that will detect most objects in its paths, but you should not
rely on these sensors alone. The other safety issue presented
with objects on the stair case involves people who walk up and
down the stairs. A misplaced object can cause them to trip, and
because the stair lift takes up a small portion of the stair
case, it is much harder to avoid objects while avoiding the
stair lift as well.
In regards to the amount of regular maintenance that is required
to keep them running, modern stair lifts have come a long way
from their older relatives. Most are designed with sealed drive
systems that do not require any lubrication and will not leak.
Even with these many advances, it is still important to follow
any maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer. This
is important because it ensures that the device will continue to
function properly and safely. It can be very easy to follow the
"If it is not broke, don't fix it mentality," but this can be
incredibly dangerous if applied to stair lifts. Most only
require lubricating a few points on the device and a brief
inspection, so it makes no sense to take a chance with something
that carries so much.
While stair lifts have been thoroughly tested to provide safe
and reliable service, it is still important to use these devices
in the manner which was intended. When in doubt use your common
sense when deciding how to use your stair lift.
About the author:
Brad Brubaker is an experienced technical writer. For more
information on used stair lifts visit http://www.a1-medical-supplies.net. They also have a large selection of new stair
lifts and other types of home medical equipment.
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