How Safe Are Stair Lifts?

As people age, they are at increased risk of falling in their homes. In fact, one in four seniors who are 65 or older fall each year, with almost three million seniors visiting the emergency room every year due to falls. Stairs are one of the biggest causes of falls for the elderly and those with limited mobility.

Stair lifts help make homes more accessible by simplifying the process of going up and down stairs. However, some people may wonder how safe they are to use. At Williams Lift Company, we provide dependable stair lift installation and repair services for stair lifts in homes across New Jersey. Here, we provide tips to help you use stair lifts safely.

What Are Stair Lifts?

Stair lifts are mobility devices that assist individuals with limited mobility in navigating stairs. A chair moves up and down on a track installed on the stairway. However, like any mechanical device, there can be risks to using a stair lift, especially if you don’t follow safety precautions.

While there is some risk of injury when using a stair lift, the positives of these devices outweigh the negatives. The risk of injury is lower than the risk of falling when using stairs without a stair lift. Additionally, the injuries you may receive are usually less severe than the injuries from stair-related falls.

Stair Lift Safety Features

Installing a stair lift in your home is one of the best ways to improve your safety, especially when you buy a stair lift with built-in safety features. At Williams Lift Company, we sell a variety of stair lifts from industry-leading brands, such as Brooks by Acorn, Bruno, and Harmar. These stair lifts feature robust built-in features for effortless operation and safe use, including:

• Seatbelts: Seatbelts provide a secure way to keep you in the seat while using a stair lift. They can also help prevent those with limited mobility from slipping or falling.
• Sensors: Integrated sensors detect obstacles on the stairs. If an obstacle is detected, these sensors automatically stop the stair lift, preventing collisions.
• Swivel seats: These seats allow you to easily turn sideways on the landings so you can exit safely. By eliminating the need to twist out of your seat, your fall risk is reduced.
• Emergency stop button: This works in conjunction with the sensors. In case of an emergency, your stair lift will stop immediately without sudden jerking.
• Battery backup: Our stair lifts come with integrated battery backups. This ensures your stair lift continues to work during power outages and ensures you won’t get stuck on the stairs if the power goes out.
• Lockable on/off switch: Stair lifts are not toys. Lockable power switches prevent kids from using your stair lift without supervision.
• Remote control: Remote controls make it easy to use your stair lift. You can call the stair lift to the top or bottom of the stairs without stretching or twisting.
• Foldaway design: The foldaway, slim design of stair lifts keeps them out of the way when they are not in use. This helps prevent you from tripping over them and falling.

Tips for Safely Using Stair Lifts

If you or a loved one uses a stair lift within your home, your safety is the number one priority. While stair lifts are helpful for seniors and those living with limited mobility, they need to be maintained and used properly to ensure a safe and secure ride. Following these tips can help reduce your risk of injury and keep your independence.

Buckle Up

Stair lifts come with built-in seatbelts. Just as you would buckle up in a car, you want to fasten your seatbelt when using your stair lift. This helps reduce your risk of sliding or falling out of your seat, especially if your lift stops or starts unexpectedly.

Follow the Weight Limit

Each stair lift has a weight capacity. Pay attention to this weight limit, and don’t exceed it. If you don’t know how much your stair lift can hold, consult the manual. Using a stair lift that is over its weight limit may lead to mechanical failure or severe injury.

Don’t Carry Kids, Pets, or Heavy Items

Stair lifts are designed for use by one person at a time. Don’t carry heavy objects on your lap, including kids or pets, while using the stair lift.

Keep the Path Clear

Your stair lift has built-in sensors that will detect if an object is in its path. However, you still want to keep the top and bottom of your stairs and your stair lift’s path clear. If there is clutter at the top or bottom of the staircase, it can pose a tripping hazard. Additionally, objects in the stair lift’s path can prevent your system from running smoothly.

Lock the Seat

Modern stair lifts have comfortable swivel seats to help you safely enter and exit the chair. Before turning the stair lift on, you want to make sure the seat is locked in place. This prevents the seat from accidentally moving while traveling up or down the steps.

Choose the Best Stair Lift for Your Staircase

Your house is unique. You must choose a stair lift that is compatible with your stairs. At Williams Lift Company, we sell stair lifts for every type of step, including custom, curved, and straight designs. We also offer a variety of high-quality used stair lifts to save you money.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Routine check-ups are essential to stair lift safety. Your stair lift should be inspected regularly by experts to ensure it is in working order. At Williams Lift Company, our technicians perform comprehensive inspections to ensure the rails are aligned, the sensors are functioning properly, and all the parts are operating properly.

Make Your Home More Accessible with Williams Lift Company

Stair-related falls are one of the leading causes of significant injuries for seniors and those with limited mobility. Stair lifts make your home safer and more accessible. In general, stair lifts are safe to use, and the risk of significant injury is low. By choosing one with robust safety features and following the above guidelines, you can make your home accessible while preventing injury.

Williams Lift Company has over 50 years of combined experience installing high-quality stair lifts throughout New Jersey. Our residential technicians can help seniors and individuals with limited mobility maintain their independence with stair lift installation. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an in-home consultation.