Safety first
Safety and maintenance guidelines
Most equipment problems announce themselves quietly before they become dangerous — a soft tyre, a slightly weaker brake, a battery that takes longer to charge. These are the checks worth doing, and the warning signs worth acting on.
Before you go out
A two-minute check before you leave the house is the single most useful habit you can get into.
Quick checks
- Look at the tyres — uneven wear, cracks or a soft tyre affect braking and grip.
- Test the brakes on a flat, safe surface before you go out, not at the top of a slope.
- Check the freewheel or drive lever is in the drive position before you set off.
- Make sure the seat is locked in position and the armrests are secure.
- Look over the cables and connectors for anything frayed, trapped or loose.
- Check the basket or bag is not overloaded, and never carry a passenger.
Getting around safely
- Approach kerbs and slopes straight on rather than at an angle, and use dropped kerbs wherever you can.
- Take extra care on wet leaves, metal drain covers, gravel and painted lines — all of them are more slippery than they look.
- Be visible. A high-visibility bag or a light on the back makes a real difference on grey mornings and early evenings.
- Keep to a speed you can stop from, especially on pavements shared with pedestrians.
- Do not carry more than the equipment is rated for, and check the weight limit if you are carrying shopping.
Battery and charging safety
Batteries are the part of mobility equipment most likely to cause a problem, and almost all of it is preventable.
Charging habits that keep you safe
- Charge in a well-ventilated space, and not in a bedroom or on an escape route such as a hallway or under the stairs.
- Charge where there is a working smoke alarm, and never cover the charger while it is in use.
- Use the charger that came with the equipment. Unmatched chargers are a common cause of battery damage.
- Unplug once charging is complete, and let the battery cool before charging again.
- If a battery gets hot, swells, smells unusual or will not hold its charge, stop using it and call us.
Stairlifts and lifting equipment
- Keep the staircase and the landing clear — nothing left on the steps, and nothing stored where the lift travels.
- Always use the seatbelt, and keep arms and loose clothing inside the lift.
- Do not exceed the weight limit shown on the lift or the plate.
- Make sure everyone in the house knows where the manual override key is kept.
- If the lift stops, use the call button or the emergency contact rather than trying to climb out.
Walking aids
- Walking sticks and frames should be set so the handle sits at about wrist height when you stand up straight.
- Check the rubber ferrules on the bottom — worn or shiny rubber is the most common reason a stick slips.
- Use the aids on stairs only as your physiotherapist or our team has shown you.
- A rollator with brakes should be tested before each walk, especially the parking brake.
Stop using it and call us if…
- The brakes feel weak, uneven or slow to respond.
- A wheel, castor or axle wobbles or makes a new noise.
- The equipment pulls to one side, or the steering feels heavy.
- You can smell burning, or a cable is hot, frayed or exposed.
- A battery is swollen, leaking or getting unusually hot.
- The frame is cracked, or a weld or fixing has failed.
Call 01264 243124. Stairlift breakdowns are supported around the clock through our sister company, P&A Lift Installations.
Book it in rather than wait for it to fail
An annual service is sensible for most users, and more often if you use the equipment daily or on uneven ground. Catching a small fault early is usually far cheaper than a breakdown.
Our common questions cover what a service includes, how often to have one, and what to do about batteries.
No pressure, ever
Not sure what mobility solution is right for you?
Tell us what you are looking for and our team will be happy to discuss the options available — including what we would not recommend for your situation.
We visit customers at home across Hampshire, and there is never any obligation to buy.