Moving around is difficult for someone in a wheel chair, not to mention going up and down the stairs. The ideal solution for their dilemma is chair lifts. With these lifts, they can go up and down the stairs with out the help of others.
Most people are clueless about chair lifts. Your mind is probably racing with a few questions regarding the topic. What are they? What is the mechanism used for it to function? What are the different kinds? What about safety?
To address the first question, chair lifts are motorized stairways that transport a person up and down the stairs. It has two components: the carriage and the rail. The carriage is the seat where the person to be transported sits on. The rail is extruded aluminum or steel that serves as a path in which the carriage glides along in.
There are several types available on the market. Before you buy, you must first consider the specific needs of the disabled person. Is he able to get off his wheelchair on his own? If he can, a regular stair lift can work for him. If the staircase is curved or unusual in style, then a curved stair lift is the only option. But if he is unable to get off his wheelchair by himself, the ideal option is a wheelchair lift.
Lifts nowadays have a wide array of features such as seatbelts, adjustable seat height, soft start, soft stop, speed governor, key switch, flip-up rail, folding step, battery isolation switches and call stations.
Typically, the chair needs electricity to function but it is still advantageous to purchase one that can operate on battery. So you can still use it even though the power is out.
A good warranty is something that you should also look for. This will provide you protection in all aspects whether mechanical or electrical. This guarantees free repair on your unit for a period of time.
Make sure that the brand or model that you are going to purchase is safe. Items that meet or exceed U.S. safety standards have labels in them that you can check. If you are not sure, ask. Safety is always a priority.
Sure chair lifts can be a little pricey, but it is much cheaper and practical compared to installing an elevator in your home. If you or a loved one is in a wheelchair and wants to go up and down the stairs with out assistance, stair lifts or wheelchair lifts are the solutions to your problems.
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