Essentials for a Stairlift to Help with Safety

Safety is the reason why people invest in a stairlift. But it’s just as important when choosing which stairlift to buy from the many on offer. Above all, it’s important to choose a stairlift that meets your individual needs, making it easier and safer for you to use.

Safety is the number one reason why people invest in a home stairlift, enabling them to travel between the floors in their home without the risk of falling. But it’s just as important to keep safety in mind when choosing which stairlift to buy from the many on offer. Above all, it’s important to choose a stairlift that meets your individual needs, making it easier and safer for you to use. Here are some things to consider: 

Will the stairlift carriage be suited to you? Most stairlifts are designed for the passenger to travel in a seated position, but some people find it difficult to bend at the knees. For them, a stairlift that allows the passenger to stand or to ‘perch’ on a specially designed seat (half-way between sitting and standing) is a better and safer option. 

Will the stairlift carry you easily? Larger users might need a stairlift designed to carry a heavier load. Special features on ‘heavy-duty stairlifts’ could include more powerful batteries and motor, strengthened components, and a seat designed to accommodate larger people. Check the ‘maximum user weight’ of any stairlift you are considering and do not exceed it. 

Will you be able to operate the controls? If you have a condition such as arthritis, you might find small and fiddly controls difficult to operate. Look for a stairlift with ergonomically designed controls that are easy to operate. Remote controls are also handy, letting you send or summon the stairlift to where it’s needed. Some companies supply remote controls as standard with their stairlifts. 

Who will use the stairlift? Will it be used just by one person or more than one? If it’s the latter, then the stairlift should meet the needs of everyone who’ll use it. That could mean having controls for both left or right-handed users, or a ‘sit-stand stairlift’ which, as its name suggests, can be used either seated or standing. 

Before opting for a particular stairlift brand or model, make sure it meets your needs so you can use it safely. Don’t let a salesman steer you towards any model not ideally suited to you. If his company can’t meet your needs, look for a supplier which can.  A ‘home survey’ by a stairlift supplier should not just be about surveying your staircase, but also about discussing your particular needs and how the stairlift can meet them. There are also some essential built-in safety features to look for: 

Battery power: Your stairlift should be powered by a rechargeable battery pack located in the carriage, not direct from the mains supply. It means the stairlift will continue to operate if there’s a power cut and you’ll never be stranded part-way up or down the stairs. 

Safety belt: Your stairlift should have a safety seatbelt for added security, just like a car, and it should be easy for you to use. 

Lockable swivel seat: A seat that can swivel and lock securely into different positions makes it easier to get safely on and off the stairlift. The levers to operate it should be easy for you to use. 

Auto-stop sensors: Make sure your stairlift has built-in sensors to detect any object inadvertently left on the stairs and blocking its path of travel. As soon as they detect any such object, they will automatically stop the stairlift until the object is removed and the journey can resume safely. 

Slimline design: The stairlift should be designed with safety in mind not only for the person using it but for anyone else using the stairs in a conventional manner. It should be possible to fold up the seat, armrests, and footrest on the stairlift carriage when not in use, so it doesn’t present an obstacle to other people using the stairs. On some straight stairlifts, the bottom of the stairlift rail can also be folded up so it doesn’t become a trip hazard at the foot of the stairs. 

Finally, choose a supplier who will fully demonstrate the use of the stairlift once it’s installed in your home to make sure you can use it with maximum safety. If you’re reliant on the stairlift, you also need a supplier who will respond quickly and efficiently if anything goes wrong with it. A reliable ‘aftercare service’ is another important safety feature of your stairlift.