Are stairlifts safe?
A concern a few of our customers have are if stairlifts are safe. All stairlifts have to use a seatbelt, usually in the form of a retractable lap belt. These give you an added sense of security as you’re travelling up or down the stairs.
Another safety feature modern day stairlifts make use of are built-in safety sensors. These sensors automatically detect potential obstructions to the stairlift and if any obstacles are found, the chair immediately brings your stairlift to a complete stop. Once the object obstructing the stairlifts’ path is removed, the stairlift continues its journey along the stairs in the direction it was already travelling in. These are located around the footrest area, so even lower objects are detected.
A limit sensor is fitted on the top and bottom of your stairlift rail. The limit sensors make sure that, when reaching the end of the rail at either end, the stairlift stops in the correct position. It also ensures that your stairlift comes to a soft stop. A smooth start-stop motion is vital so as well as coming to a quiet stop; the stairlift should have a slow, gentle start rather than a jerky start. This removes the risk of injury when a stairlift starts or stops.
Your curved or straight in stairlift should have a lockable on/off key switch. This is in place to prevent anyone, particularly young children, from using or activating the stairlift in any way without the key. For this reason, the key is removable after locking.
Electricity?
There shouldn’t be a risk of receiving an electric shock if your stairlift is a battery powered (DC) stairlift. This means that there is no mains power voltage on your stairlift, as it runs off 24-volt batteries only. These are rechargeable and, as well as ensuring smooth, quiet travel along the rail; it also means that the stairlift can run even during a power cut. Charging points are located at both ends of the rail meaning the stairlift charges when not in use.
Stairlift Braking Systems
A stairlift should have a dual mechanical and electrical braking system. These are two independent braking systems meaning that which make for safer operation should any accidents happen. In the event of a motor failure, the stairlift cannot descend unexpectedly or too quickly.
A swivel seat is vital on a stairlift, and it must lock into position at the end of the stairs. This swivels the seat of the stairlift around, allowing you to dismount from the stairlift with ease. Also, because the stairlift locks into place it acts as a barrier to prevent you from falling back down the stairs due to loss of balance, etc. This is essential, especially when dismounting from the stairlift at the top of the stairs.
If you are considering purchasing a stairlift, ask the supplier if they meet the current British Safety Standards. Most suppliers should be more than happy to promote that they meet these standards.
Making the most of your home:
Whether it’s by an injury or a matter of your health, losing the ability to move around your own home is a horrible feeling regardless of who you are. For those that find it hard to navigate their stairs, a stairlift is one of a few amazing options you can choose to take to make the most of your home.
Moving home just isn’t an option for a lot of people in the UK, especially if you’re older and you’ve already settled into your environment. Stairs shouldn’t be the reason to move out of your dream home, which is what makes stairlifts such an effective piece of equipment in a lot of homes in Slough.
Getting around your home:
Our range of stairlifts is the perfect solution for when the stairs become that little bit more difficult to walk up. Walking up and down the stairs can become a burden especially if you’re having to deal with pain/discomfort every time you do it. Stairlifts remove the need to deal with the unnecessary pain & make it a lot easier to move around in your own home.
Stairlifts are a great tool for those looking to alleviate the pain/stress of an injury since stairs will undoubtedly make things harder in terms of moving around the home.
Finding the right provider for you:
It’s difficult to find a company that you can trust, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. One of the things that our customers are always concerned with is the after-sale support that we can offer. We are glad to offer quality after-sale support offering maintenance services to keep your stairlifts running as they should.
You should always venture to deal with professional copanies, especially if you are looking for re-conditioned stairlifts. Authorised dealers that work with leading manufacturers will be able to service used stairlifts using the best parts available. If you are looking for longevity in your device, then this may very well be the ideal option for you.
Finally, it is important to consider an authorised stairlift dealer as they are far more likely to include a complete package of services that can help you get the most out of your device and overcome any problems quickly. An example of this is the maintenance and emergency repair programmes that many retailers put in place for their customers.
Why is servicing your stairlift important?
Many people who use stairlifts are elderly or have their mobility reduced for health reasons. For someone who is dependent on a stairlift, not having one can cause huge problems. Regular servicing ensures that your stairflit will operate without flaw. Servicing your stairlift will make for a safer and more efficient stairlift.
Domestic Lifts is one of the UK’s leading stairlift suppliers, operating in the Thames Valley area. As a family-owned, independent supplier, Domestic Lifts is proud to provide a quality service. We focus on delivering a quality service & product to our clients, taking pride in everything we do.
Domestic Lift Services offer everything from new and reconditioned stairlifts. We work with leading manufacturers to provide our customers with the latest stairlifts to fit straight and curved staircases. We also offer refurbished stairlifts for those looking for more affordable solutions. For more information, please visit our site or call us on 01753 709590.
