Electric wheelchairs are granting more and more people added freedom and capabilities in their daily lives. Their growing popularity points to their usefulness to many people who do not possess the upper body strength to operate a traditional wheelchair. As people turn to these chairs to help simplify their life, questions emerge wondering about how to maintain safety within the high technology chairs.
Despite these electric chairs being very advanced and safe, there are still several things one can do in order to prevent any damage to the user and the chair itself. Understanding how your electric chair works can help you take care of it better. As you learn the skills to operate your electric wheelchair, reading the user manual is a must. This will give you a deeper understanding of the machine and help keep it safe and functioning. A well-maintained chair will not only last longer but also makes the user safer from malfunctions.
Use the Seatbelt!
Just like when you get into a car, you need to wear your seatbelt when in your chair! Even though your chair will not carry you down a highway at 60 miles an hour, it is still good to check yourself into the seat. This will not only stabilize you but also make sure that you lessen the chances of you falling out of the chair. Which can lead to injuries.
Keeping your seatbelt when you are in your chair is important, especially when you are in outdoor terrain. We will cover more details of this safety later, but unfamiliar terrain can mean unsuspecting bumps, so stay safe and buckle up!
Be Careful Outdoors
If you are planning to use your chair outdoors or already do so, it is important to remain vigilant of your surroundings. Avoiding curbs is important to not damaging your wheelchair, but there are other terrains that you should look out for. In general, you just want to take it slow and be cautious. Planning your route ahead of time could also help you avoid some dangerous outdoor spots.
Avoid steep inclines to keep your chair working properly and do avoid a malfunction in a dangerous place. If you do so, be sure to start slowly as you accelerate and only attempt if the terrain is dry and flat. Another dangerous situation is sand or gravel, as these run a high risk of you losing control or getting your chair stuck within the dirt.
Turn Off the Chair
Conserving energy when you can is great for the environment as well as the battery of the electric chair, but it can help in safety too. It is important to turn your chair off when getting in and out of the seat. This assures it does not move and is stable and stationary as you move around it, which prevents any accidental movement from the chair that could complicate entering and exiting the chair.
You also should turn off the chair when you are not actively moving around. This helps you save battery while also making sure you move the chair on accident. It generally is a safe rule to follow as you get used to your new chair.
Avoid Putting Weight on Armrests
Using each part of your electric wheelchair as it was intended is important to maintaining its longevity and its function. As we get up from chairs we often use the armrests and the floor to help us rise, but it is not the same for electric wheelchairs.
The armrests and footrests of the chairs were not designed for this and can not soundly support the pressure of one’s weight on them. Instead, use the floor and another support to lift yourself from the chair. This way you can be sure that you will not damage the chair or risk getting an injury yourself. You should also be careful not to lean on or put extra weight onto these surfaces.
Consistently Check Your Tires
Making sure your tires are inflated helps give you a smooth ride while using your electrical wheelchair. In the same way, you check in on the tire pressure of your car, you should do the same with your chair. This way the chair is not off-balanced or has a tire too flat it will not even move properly.
There are simple machines to check the tire’s pressure, but you can also use your finger to poke the tire. If it gives in and is squishy, then it likely needs more air. But if the tire is firm and tight you have nothing to worry about!
Avoid Getting Your Chair Wet
In the same way, your phone gets damaged if it is dropped in the toilet, your chair’s electrical wiring can be damaged by splashing into a puddle. The electric wheelchair has delicate wiring that can be easily damaged by water, but you can not set it in rice for a few days.
The most common way of this happening is driving over water which splashed up to the underside of the chair. Electrical malfunctions can be dangerous, so it is important to avoid them. Keeping your chair dry at all times will ensure the electrical elements of your electric chair stay intact and function properly.
Conclusion
Like any other machine, it is important to maintain your electric wheelchair. Overlooking the maintenance can lead to malfunctions that have the potential to harm the user. There are more practical reasons as well, such as keeping the battery healthy so it lasts a long time. Keeping an eye on this also helps prevent you from your battery dying when you are in an inconvenient situation. Being aware of dangerous terrain and keeping your seatbelt can make sure you do not fall out of the chair as well.
Overall, keeping up on the maintenance of your electric wheelchair and being cautious about potentially dangerous situations will help make sure you stay as safe as possible. Being conscious of these elements will simply cap off the great experiences of an electric wheelchair and allow you to live your best life!
By Trevor Fenner
About the author:
Trevor James is the founder and owner of Mobility Paradise, a one-stop-shop for mobility scooters, electric scooters, electric wheelchairs, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, lift chairs, saunas, steam showers, massage tables, exercise equipment, electric bikes, massage chairs, and bathtubs. Years ago, Trevor’s grandma had an accident that made her dependent on a wheelchair; this forced Trevor and his family to put her into an elderly care facility. Since then, Trevor would visit her to take a walk around the neighborhood. Mobility Paradise was created because Trevor couldn’t find an online store that offers a wide selection of mobility equipment and educational resources. What started as a business focusing on mobility scooters grew to include all kinds of mobility products. You can shop for the most reliable mobility products at MobilityParadise.com.
