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Safe Use of Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to millions of people around the world. They are simple machines designed for safety and ease of use, but there are still things that can go wrong when operating a wheelchair that might lead to injury or damage to the wheelchair. However, by observing proper maintenance of your wheelchair, and by observing safety recommendations for both power and manual wheelchairs, you can rest assured that you will remain safe at all times.

  1. Maintenance

    • Proper wheelchair maintenance is the first step toward preventing injuries and further damage when using a wheelchair. Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure. Check tire pressure regularly, and replace tires when they become worn. Conduct regular inspection of front caster wheels and forks, wheel locks or electric breaks, footrests, seating, rear wheels, drive motors, joysticks and batteries. These areas generally pick up the most wear and tear. See resources for more on maintenance.

    Power Wheelchairs

    • Always turn off the power when transferring into or out of your power wheelchair. Unintended movement can cause a fall and injury. It's also a good idea to turn off power whenever you intend to stay in one place for a while to avoid unintended movement. Do not carry anything on the battery pack or other sensitive parts of the wheelchair, as you could damage the wheelchair. Avoid using your power wheelchair in the rain, unless your chair is specifically waterproof, as the water may damage the electronics. Also, many wheelchair wheels lose traction when wet. Older-model power wheelchairs are sometimes susceptible to radio, TV and cell phone signals. If the chair starts behaving erratically, turn off the power.

    Manual wheelchairs

    • Though they're simpler in design, proper safety must also be practiced with manual wheelchairs. Do not pull backward on railings, handles or other objects, as you may tip over. For the same reason, do not put heavy loads on the back of a manual wheelchair. Do not overestimate your ability to control a manual chair on steep slopes, whether you are in one or pushing from behind. Like power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs loose traction when wet, so be careful in the rain or on wet surfaces.

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