Are Stair Lifts Safe to Use?

Stair lifts built today are extremely safe and easy to use … especially when one considers the potential consequences of not having one installed in the home when needed.

The stair lift industry is regulated by both the FDA and Federal Elevator Commission. Manufacturing plants are inspected to insure high levels of production standards. (This is NOT the case for imported stair lifts!) All stair lifts sold in the United States is required to have a seat belt, safety sensors on the edges of the foot plate, travel at a speed of 18-20 feet (steps) per minute, and have a constant pressure switch requiring the rider to hold the switch down the entire time the chair is moving. The seat is also required to turn 90 degrees at the top of the stairs and fully lock into position. The passenger can safely exit onto the top level and walk away from the staircase without any risk of falling down the steps. If the passenger should lose balance and fall back after exiting … they will simply fall back into the chair.

Stair lifts built today are extremely safe and easy to use … especially when one considers the potential consequences of not having one installed in the home when needed. The stair lift industry is regulated by both the FDA and Federal Elevator Commission. Manufacturing plants are inspected to insure high levels of production standards. (This is NOT the case for imported stair lifts!) All stair lifts sold in the United States is required to have a seat belt, safety sensors on the edges of the foot plate, travel at a speed of 18-20 feet (steps) per minute, and have a constant pressure switch requiring the rider to hold the switch down the entire time the chair is moving. The seat is also required to turn 90 degrees at the top of the stairs and fully lock into position. The passenger can safely exit onto the top level and walk away from the staircase without any risk of falling down the steps. If the passenger should lose balance and fall back after exiting … they will simply fall back into the chair.

As a care provider, or if looking out for oneself, it is extremely important to be able to recognize the time of potential need long before the accident occurs. A good rule to follow is – “Stay 2 steps ahead of one’s capabilities”. The telltale signs are fairly obvious, but the need to purchase is often ignored. If you (or other members of the household) are holding on to the bannister or railing with both hands … it might be time to install a stair lift. If you (or others) are stopping halfway up the staircase trying to catch their breath … it is time to get a stair lift. If you (or perhaps someone else) has “tripped” or fallen coming down the steps or there have been times when the footing or balance was not steady … it is time to call the factory trained staff at Stair Lift Savings for a free home evaluation and brochure packet. The knowledgeable staff can answer all of your questions with a quick and easy toll free phone call to (877) 585-4041. Let one of the Stair Lift Savings advisors assist you and your loved ones with picking out the correct stair lift for your particular needs. With a quick phone call you can decide if a battery system is best for you, learn about the three drive mechanisms (winch, rack-and-pinion, and worm drive) and how they differ, maintenance requirements, and the stair lift laws pertinent to your location. With so many options and features, the cost of a new stair lift can range anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000. Some are able to be self-installed by a homeowner or handyman, while others require installation to be completed by factory trained professional.

Proper maintenance of your stair lift will require occasional greasing if you opt for a rack-and-pinion model and battery changes if you choose a DC powered stair lift. Track alignment should be checked periodically as well. This can be done by drawing a tight string from top to bottom to see if there is a bow in the track. A track that is not straight can cause pre-mature wearing of the wheels and gears. Routine service can be done by the homeowner or handyman, but it is a good idea to keep the phone number of the local stair lift technician if needed. StairLift makes every attempt to answer the phone lines 24/7 and the people that answer the calls on nights and weekends are installation and service technicians who are very familiar with your stair lift. There are over 3,000 service technicians and installers located within the United States and Canada. Most of the common issues or problems with stair lifts can be quickly resolved over the telephone which ends up being a “No Charge” fix.