Safety Advice for lightweight Manual Wheelchair Users

No matter if you are a seasoned lightweight Manual Wheelchair user or you are just learning how to operate, you need always be aware of the safety precautions for your wheelchair.

No matter how at ease you are in your chair, safety should always come first. You can benefit from your wheelchair mobility as long as you stay safe and healthy. Following are some suggestions to assist you with that:

Tyres

You’ve heard of checking your car’s tyres, right? You should also check your wheelchair’s tyres. A chair can get a flat tyre, just like any other vehicle, leaving you stranded. Check to see whether the tread is not too worn and that the tyres have the right quantity of air in them. Your tyres become slick as the tread begins to wear out. Your brakes may slip as a result of worn tyres.

Making sure that your tyres are securely fastened is another factor to take into account while inspecting your tyres. If you take your tyres off to store them, make sure you fully reinstall them before using the chair again. When the tyres have not been fully pressed in, they may look to be secure.

Caster Wheels 

Verify that your caster wheels are pointed forward and straight before transferring. If they are not, make the necessary adjustments. A sideways rotation of the caster wheels of your chair could cause you to fall and sustain injuries.

Hand Rims 

Your hand rims are frequently the first object to crash into doorways and furnishings because they protrude slightly from your wheels. These lumps may leave the metal with rough and jagged surfaces. Check the smoothness of your hand rims regularly. Any protruding bits run the risk of slicing your skin or abrading it.

Seat Cushion 

The importance of your seat cushion cannot be overstated. Your support and posture are impacted. Additionally, it shields you from getting pressure sores. Check your cushion for anything that can prevent it from performing at its best. The design of the cushion can be compromised by tears, perforations, or squeezed places.

Wheel Locks 

The sole purpose of wheel locks is to lock your wheels. They must never be used as brakes to stop a moving chair. Make sure both wheel locks are engaged before transferring. Make sure they are fully locked as well, even if it requires a little extra effort. Your chair can still slide if the doors are not completely locked.

Armrests and Footrests – The sun can make the surface of your chair very warm if you are sitting outside. Before placing your skin against footrests and armrests that can have hot metal, take precautions. Burns can occur suddenly.

Seat Belts

The metal of the clip is subject to the same sun warning if you wear a seat belt. You risk getting burned if it gets too hot. Additionally, seat belts should be checked for any frayed or worn areas that could reduce their security.

The Frame

Check to see whether your frame is held together by any bolts or screws and make sure they are not loose. If the screws in the back of your frame are exposed, you run the risk of losing them if you lean back against your backrest or if someone else pushes the back of your chair. The back may become unstable and shaky if there are missing or loose screws. This is dangerous at worst and posture-harming at best.

Maintaining the functionality of your wheelchair may seem tedious, but it is necessary if you want to keep yourself safe and mobile. You should inspect your wheelchair in the same way that you would your car. In the long term, taking a little preventative maintenance can save you time and money.

If you’re a lightweight manual wheelchair user, it’s important to be aware of the safety risks associated with your chair. In order to stay safe while using your wheelchair, follow these tips:

• Make sure your wheelchair is properly adjusted to fit you.
• Avoid using your wheelchair in wet or icy conditions.
• Always use the safety belts provided with your wheelchair.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid obstacles and other pedestrians.
• Use caution when transferring in and out of your wheelchair.

Looking for a lightweight manual wheelchair that won’t slow you down? Look no further than Top Medical Mobility. Their manual wheelchairs are designed for easy transport and maneuverability, so you can get where you need to go with ease. Contact them today for more queries about their products!