Safety Tips for Wheelchair Users

Published: May 19, 2014

Are you currently in a wheelchair? Depending on your specific needs, you may have trouble finding various ways to stay safe and then incorporating those methods into your daily life. At Precision Repair Network, we want to help! We believe that it's important for all wheelchair users to not only be safe, but to also be completely comfortable. For tips on how to stay safe in a wheelchair, we encourage you to keep reading.

Staying Safe — Options to Consider

If you're having trouble staying safe and comfortable in your wheelchair, we can help! Whether you're new to using a wheelchair or use to the device, you may still benefit from viewing this list of safety options and employing them in your everyday life:

Be Prepared

This may seem rather vague, but it's important to always be prepared — this can relate to a range of ideas. For example, you'll want to know how to properly work your chair, specifically the brakes. Knowing how to manually release the brakes can help you in any situation, particularly if your chair happens to suddenly stop while you're crossing the street. If you know how your chair works, then you can relate that information to another individual if you happen to need assistance.

Protect Your Chair

Not only do you need to know how your chair works, but you also need to protect it. For instance, bad weather conditions can harm your chair and make it difficult to use. It's vital that the joystick on your power wheelchair is always kept dry. Depending on where you live, the weather could prove to be unpredictable; therefore, you may find it beneficial to carry a small umbrella or poncho with you at all times.

Regular Maintenance

To better ensure that you're wheelchair is always up to par and working correctly, it's important to have it regularly checked out. If you want to be as safe as possible, then you'll want to make sure your chair is properly working — at all times. Having a technician routinely check your chair could help you avoid issues in the future.

Do You Feel Comfortable?

It's always important to make sure that you feel completely comfortable in your wheelchair — there is no reason for the opposite to occur. You will know your chair and body better than anyone else. Therefore, if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsatisfied with your chair, then it's recommended that you seek professional assistance or ask for help.