Power Chair Safety
- Keep your powerchair in good condition - don't abuse it outdoors.
- Read and understand your powerchair's owner manual.
- Don't use reckless high-speeds.
- Always shut the power off while not driving your powerchair, or when transferring it by lift. This will preserve battery power and prevent disaster if your joystick gets bumped.
- Announce yourself at closed doors. The suddenly opening of a door could knock you out of your chair.
- To avoid tipping, don't place heavy loads on the back of your power wheelchair.
- Don't let children play with your wheelchair, its controls or ride on the back.
- Attach a brightly colored flag to your wheelchair. At night use headlights, reflector tape or flashing taillights.
- Don't brave steep hills or curbs. You could lose control and tip over.
- Never remove the anti-tip wheels from your powerchair.
- If your wheelchair casters tremble, get them fixed. Castor flutter occurs at high, downhill speeds, and can throw you out of your chair.
- Avoid operating powerchairs in the rain. The electronics aren't waterproof and your wheels can also lose traction if wet.
- Turn your motorized chair off before using a cell phone. If any electric device affects your chair in a strange manner, shut it off immediately.
- Plan ahead for emergencies, check your wheel chair's brakes, belts and gears regularly, bring an extra wheelchair battery or wheelchair charger along for lengthy trips.
