Stair Lifts on the Stairs

A staircase is a common part of many homes in America and it is also one of the most dangerous areas of the home. A fall down the stairs can be devastating and the leading cause of accidental death and hospitalization among people over sixty-five is a fall down the stairs. One of the most accepted ways to prevent a fall down the stairs is to use a stair lift.

Stair lifts are similar to elevators in that they are used to carry people between floors. Unlike an elevator or a vertical platform lift though, stair lifts carry people across the length of the stairs, instead of vertically up and down. They are usually installed onto the steps, but in some cases, like in instances of a curved staircase or an exceedingly narrow staircase, the stair lift is instead installed onto the wall. A chair is most commonly used to carry the person up and down the stairs and it moves along a track that is secured to the steps or wall.

The amount of weight that a stair lift is capable of supporting varies by model. Most average between 300 and 375, but some are capable of supporting a considerably larger amount of weight. Those stair lifts that support over 375 pounds are usually called heavy duty stair lifts and feature reinforced seats that are usually also a little wider.

People that have and use a stair lift are able to quickly reduce the risk of an injury, which can occur when you fall down the stairs.