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Safety of Easy Lift Chairs

Lift chairs are designed to help people with mobility problems get to their feet more easily when sitting in recliners. Easy Lift chairs are a brand of these chairs containing mechanisms that lift and slant the chair forward in order to help people rise without the help of others. These chairs are used mostly by those suffering from debilitating arthritis or complications from other conditions such as osteoporosis.

  1. Operation

    • The lift chair encases a small plug that receives power through an adapter that is plugged into a wall outlet. These motors are connected to a system of springs and bar mechanisms that extend in a particular order, lifting the chair slightly up and forward, until at its greatest extent people can easily slide out onto their feet. Most motors are designed to lift a certain amount of weight.

    Height Rating

    • Lift chairs are rated by height, based on the size of the chair and how far they lift and slant. It is important that users buy a lift chair that corresponds correctly with their height. Buying a chair that is meant for a shorter person may not help at all, and buying a chair that is too high can result in accidents. Lift chairs should specify the range of heights they are intended for.

    Weight Rating

    • Lift chairs are also designed to carry a certain amount of weight, the chair included. These weights can vary, although a well-built chair can usually handle around 400 pounds. Check the weight restrictions of the chair to make sure they show a high number like this, which means the motor is powerful and will last longer. It can be dangerous to buy a lift chair with a weight limit that cannot support the person using it.

    Warranties

    • Make sure to check the warranties that the lift chair comes with. Most types of lift chairs come with lifetime warranties. This common practice ensures that if the chair suddenly malfunctions, it can be replaced. No one should buy a lift chair that does not have such warranties.

    Backup

    • Look for a lift chair that includes a backup battery that can be used in case of a power failure. Without this battery, the power could fail and leave a susceptible person stranded with no way to get up. The battery carries a permanent charge that allows the motor to operate even in cases like these.

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