Chair Lifts

Stair Lift Chairs

Stair lift chairs are not cheap, but they don't have to be expensive either. This is because you have a choice as to what you want your stair lift to do and what you want it to have. If you would like for it to operate off of battery power, then so be it. If you want to look at swivel chairs, it can be done. You have options that will fit your stairs, will fit your preferences, and will make your home more accessible than what it was before.

Stair lift chairs do have quite the history that dates back to the 1920s. An engineer by the name of C.C. Crispen created the first lift for stairs. He did this because he had a friend who needed assistance going to the second level of his home. But it is said that the first was created in the time of Henry VIII. He was weighing approximately 450 pounds and could not climb the stairs in his palace. He was placed on what could be considered a block of wood and pulled to the top of the stairs by servants. Neither electricity nor battery power existed yet, so this was the only option.

Safety

Each stair chair lift has been tested for safety. Because these systems consist of chairs that travel along a railing in order to carry a human being up stairs and to another floor of a home or business, they have to be tested for defects.

There are also such things as safety edges that accompany stair lifts. Although the chairs tend to keep individuals safe when using stair lift chairs, it is important to ensure the entire unit is safe whether it is in use or not. If you have children around, this is especially important. You do not want children coming into contact with sharp edges, nor do you want them getting caught on the unit. Fortunately, the stair chairs have safety mechanisms in place just for this reason.

And if there is an obstruction in place, the chair will then travel the opposite direction to let you know that there is an obstruction

Another safety factor is that you can count on the seats of these units being gently propelled so that there are no jerking motions. Jerking motions can result in injury. Older models may have been rather jerky, especially the stair lift chairs from the 1920s. Fortunately, however, a lot of improvement has occurred since then. You can be where you're going in less than a minute and have a smooth ride in the process.

So if safety is a concern with these chairs, don't worry. You can also arrange to have annual maintenance performed on the stair lift. This can involve inspecting the individual parts and ensuring that everything is tight like it should be, which can aid in longevity.

Your Stairway

When stair lift chairs are being installed, the stairway is heavily taken into consideration. This is because all stairs are different. They are made to fit the home. For instance, the best way for the stairs to serve the home may be for it to curve around to the appropriate landing spot. If that's the case, then you will need a special lift. The type needed is one that follows the curve of the stairs, thus allowing you to make it from the bottom floor to the top floor without much of a hitch.

The reason why curved stair lift chairs work so well is because they are custom fitted to the curved stairway. The track is made so fine that it can accommodate the bend of the stairs easily. The track to the stair lift is also fitted tightly so that it does not come loose. Some units can accommodate up to 350 pounds in weight, so you can count on the system lasting a long time. Stair lift chairs that are made for curved stairs are more expensive due to the fact that they do have to be custom fitted and more materials are involved in their construction.

The most common type of stairway, however, is the straight stairway. Sometimes when they're straight, they can be narrow. This means that the stair lift chairs have to be smaller, yet it performs the same function. The chairs are still comfortable on these systems and operate the same. Other individuals in the home will still be able to navigate the stairway. They may not have as much room as they used to, but the sacrifice is worth making for most.

So when evaluating stair lift chairs, know that they are safe and can be made to fit your specific stairway if you have a complicated design. When you are disabled and you need help, that help should be available, especially when you need to navigate your own home.