Tag Archives: wheelchair ramps

Portable Wheelchair Ramp Safety Tips and Buying Guide

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Portable wheelchair ramps are a great convenience as they enable you to navigate your wheelchair in and out of your home, stores and other public facilities.  They are made of sturdy but lightweight materials designed to allow easy transport and storage. Following are some tips to follow to ensure that you use your portable wheelchair ramp safely.

Safety Tips:
*Make sure you’re comfortable with the incline – Don’t exceed your comfort zone! If you’re attempting to traverse a steep incline, have an able-bodied attendant assist you.

*Don’t load the wheelchair with anything that can tip it backwards – It’s best not to carry anything that exerts downward gravitational force such as a backpack. Wait until you have traversed the incline to put the backpack on the wheelchair.

*Always fasten your seatbelt before negotiating the ramp. In fact, as a safety precaution you should fasten your seatbelt whenever you’re in your wheelchair.

*If you have anti-tip wheels, double-check them to make sure they’re working properly.

*Practice using your ramp. Begin driving your wheelchair at the slowest possible speed. The more you use your ramp the more confident you will become.

*When descending, proceed slowly and ease up towards the bottom of the ramp until you come to a complete stop.

*Don’t go solo until you are confident. Have an attendant or caregiver assist you until you are able to use the ramp confidently.

Portable Wheelchair Ramp Buying Guide

Portable wheelchair ramps come in a variety of designs including suitcase, threshold, solid, multifold, single fold and van & specialty ramps. Following are brief descriptions of each design type:

*Multi-fold Ramps – Longer ramps, which are ideal for traveling over several steps, steeper inclines or traversing uneven terrain, multi-fold wheelchair ramps fold in two places.

Utility Ramp-20Utility Wheelchair Ramps

Threshold Ramps – Featuring a high-traction surface, threshold ramps are designed for smooth uneven doorways, sliding glass doors, and raised landings. They are made out of aluminum or rubber, fit 1 to 6 inches threshold height and can carry up to 600 pounds.

Solid Ramps – These ramps are a one-piece design, thus requiring no assembly.  They have no moveable parts. All you have to do is position the wheelchair ramp and you’re ready to go! Solid ramps feature a seamless rigid design for a safe and solid feel. These extremely sturdy ramps have a weight capacity of 700 pounds.

Single fold (Suitcase) Ramps – Ideal for slight elevation changes, single fold ramps fold longwise for easy transportation. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, single fold ramps come in 2 to 6 foot lengths. They are primarily used to load power chairs and scooters into vans and SUVs.

Multi-fold Ramps – Featuring a 3-fold design, multi-fold ramps allows you to access steps, vehicles and raised landings. Designed so they can be used both indoors and outside, multi-fold ramps can hold up to 800 pounds.

Van Ramps – Specially designed for easy access to a minivan’s side door, van ramps install easily to the floor of the van. Easy to store and transport,

For a complete selection of portable wheelchair ramps, visit ScooterDirect.com, your source for all mobility products.

 

Mobility Scooter Review of Safety Tips

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One of the greatest benefits of using a mobility scooter is the freedom and independence you’ll  enjoy now that you are able to get around easily. However, it’s your responsibility to operate your scooter safely, especially if you intend to use it outside the home.  Following are 18 simple tips that will help you operate your scooter safely and responsibly:

Pride Go Go Sport, model SC74

Pride Go Go Sport, model SC74

  1. Read your owner manual – It is important to familiarize your mobility scooters’ user manual. Most manuals include instructions on how to navigate over uneven terrain, the proper way to negotiate turns, safe braking practices, etc.

  2. Practice – Before you go on long excursions, practice operating your scooter in a quiet parking lot.

  3. Straight Ahead – Avoid going on inclines, like curb ramps, on an angle. You are at the greatest risk of tipping when you turn too sharply or go too fast going up or down hills or ramps.

  4. Power Down – Make sure you shut off your engine when you’re finished driving your mobility scooter. For extra safety, remove the key when you’re finished using the vehicle.

  5. Be Reflective – If you plan on operating your scooter at night use a fluorescent vest or other reflective gear so that you can be easily seen.

  6. Be Seen – Use a safety flag at the rear of your scooter if you travel near a roadway.  A safety flag that is placed at a level above your head can be seen by motorists.

  7. Drive sober! – Do not operate your mobility scooter if you are impaired by alcohol, prescription drugs or any other intoxicating substances. Alcohol and drugs compromise your judgment, putting yourself and others at risk.

  8. Watch out for others – Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other mobility scooter operators are obstacles that can move into your path. It’s always prudent to drive defensively.

  9. Parking Lots – Exercise caution when you’re driving through commercial parking lots where shoppers on foot or in cars are likely to emerge at any time. Be especially cautious when driving near storefronts because people can exit a store at any time.

  10. Power Up – Make sure your batteries are fully charged each time you operate your scooter. Getting stranded far from home is no fun at all.

  11. Speed – When you drive on footpaths, don’t exceed the speed of pedestrians.

  12. Avoid Water – It is safest to drive only in dry conditions. Avoid riding in the rain, driving through puddles or traversing wet grass.

  13. No hitchhikers – Don’t let kids of other passengers ride with you on your scooter unless it is designed for more than one person. Your scooter is designed to bear a specific weight load; exceeding that weight can damage its frame.

  14. Phone Home –

  15. Don’t leave home without your cell phone. In case of an equipment breakdown you should always have a cell phone handy so you can call for help.

  16. A Must See – If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses wear them when you ride your scooter.  You need to be able to see clearly to drive safely!

  17. Know it well. It’s a good idea to check out the sidewalks and pathways in your neighborhood prior to operating your mobility scooter so you can anticipate problem areas such as high curbs, rocky terrain and areas with high bicycle traffic.

  18. That’s right – It is safer, at least in the USA, to drive on the right side even when on sidewalks.

  19. Horn – Only use your horn when it is absolutely necessary. But use it when needed.

If you are shopping for a mobility scooter, power wheelchair, lifts, ramps, lift chairs and mobility aids please visit ScooterDirect.com, your source for all mobility products. And be sure to be safe!