Safe Stair Usage

Keeping safe while on the stairs is a major concern for people both old and young. Usually when young the concern stems from the child playing on the stairs and falling. When old the concern also stems from falling, but it is not because the adult is playing, but because they are unsteady on the stairs. The unsteadiness on the stairs can be a result of injury, illness, disability, or just age, but presents a clear and present danger. The danger on the stairs can be deadly in many cases and the number one cause of accidental death of those over 65 is as a result of a fall down the stairs.

To help prevent injury on the stairs a stair lift is often used. A stair lift is a mobility lifting aid that allows a single individual to safely use the stairs, which means that you do not have to stop using a section of your home just because you can’t safely use the stairs anymore.

To install a stair lift to a straight staircase, a metal track is affixed to the stairs. After the track has been firmly secured to the stairs, the car is attached to the track. The car is the part of the stair lift that does the actual work and contains the electric motor. The car moves slowly up and down the track and carries a single individual.

Those that do not have a straight staircase must usually have the stair lift professionally installed and frequently it is secured to the wall instead of the stairs. The cost of a curved stair lift is also much greater and is usually about 1000% more than a straight staircase. To help control costs and speed up the process, which usually take a few months, people who have an ‘L’ shaped staircase usually opt to install two straight stair lifts instead of one curved stair lift. This can usually be done, but you will want to consult a stair lift dealer to make certain your ‘L’ shaped staircase is compatible with a dual stair lift installation.

Staying safe on the stairs is very important and a stair lift is a very good way to maintain stair safety.