Safety Tips for Your Wheelchair or Scooter
Wheelchairs and scooters are great devices for staying mobile and leading an independent life. But across the U.S. there are thousands of injuries each year related to wheelchairs or scooters. Most of these injuries are caused by tips and falls, but other factors also contribute to these injuries, including uneven terrain or lack of appropriate home modifications, lack of proper equipment such as seatbelts/restraints and anti-tip devices, and inadequate maintenance of wheelchairs/scooters.
Here are a few safety tips to help you avoid becoming part of the injury statistics:
- Be smart! When operating your chair or scooter, always assume that no one sees you, whether on a sidewalk, street, or in a building
- If you are unsure that you can navigate the terrain in front of you, look for another way. Uneven terrain, steep inclines and declines, can pose problems. If you are with someone who is walking, have them scout out unfamiliar places before you
- Make sure that you are visible – especially in low light situations. Wear high visibility clothing, make sure your chair has reflective tape, and attach a bright, tall flag to your wheelchair or scooter
- Make sure your chair or scooter has the proper safety equipment – including seat belts and anti-tip devices
- When you are stopped, always use brakes or wheel locks to prevent movement
- Maintain your chair on a regular basis – if you have air-filled tires, make sure they are properly filled with air. Inspect your wheel locks, tires and caster bearings for wear. Check your brakes on a regular basis. If you don’t have a maintenance-free battery, check the fluid levels in each of the cells. If something needs replacing – replace it
- Make sure your home is able to support a chair or scooter. Home modifications can be extensive or may just involve moving the furniture around to provide easier access. You should have ramps even on small doorway thresholds
- If you travel, always state you are a disabled traveler when booking your travel plans. It’s better to know up front if hotels, airlines, taxis, etc. are able to accommodate you
- Never have someone tilt you back in your chair and push you down the steps one step at a time – get a ramp!
- Have a plan in the event of an accident. Are you with someone who can help? Do you have a cell phone handy? Do you have emergency phone numbers already programmed into your cell phone?
Partner up with a loved one, friend, or caregiver to help you practice these safety tips, and be safe out there!
About the Author
Author Chris Stoeri founded www.EnableYourLife.com to help people with all types of diabilities to more easily tackle their daily challenges, providing self help aids, wheelchairs/scooters, wheelchair parts and accessories, diagnostic equipment, and thousands of other medical supplies. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 17, and has spent several years as an active volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation.
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