Acorn stairlifts are life-changing devices that take your life to the next level—However, much like any other piece of equipment or machinery, our stairlifts must be used safely and in the way that they were intended to reap the full benefits and avoid injury.
Read on to learn 5 safety tips for your Acorn stairlift that will ensure a smooth, reliable, and safe ride every time.
Safety Tips for Using Your New Acorn Stairlift
1. Make sure that the user does not exceed the weight limit.
For the safety of the user and the longevity of the stairlift itself, it is essential to make sure that the stairlift user does not exceed the weight limit.
Attempting to use the stairlift when exceeding the weight limit can result in serious injury for the user, as well as serious damage to the stairlift.
The maximum weight for the majority of Acorn straight stairlift models is 127kg. However, this model is also offered in an HD version that goes up to a maximum weight of 159kg.
Our Acorn outdoor stairlift model has a weight limit of 127kg, and finally, the Acorn curved stairlift model has a weight limit of 120kg.
Make sure to take this weight limit into consideration when purchasing your stairlift.
2. Push the seatbelt into the buckle until you hear a click.
It is important to ensure that the stairlift user is securely buckled in any time the stairlift is in motion.
Although Acorn stairlifts are designed to travel at a slow, smooth, and steady pace for user safety, they are still moving pieces of machinery and should be treated as much.
All Acorn stairlifts are equipped with a simple, easy-to-use, retractable safety belt, which works just like the one in your car.
When you insert the seatbelt into the buckle, make sure that you hear a click before ascending or descending the stairs on your lift.
At the end of your journey, just unclip the safety belt and let it automatically retract when you’re ready to step off the stairlift.
3. Lock the seat of the stairlift before moving.
Acorn stairlifts are equipped with a convenient swivel seat that allows users to safely and easily enter or exit the chair. This swivel seat is operated by a lever and designed to lock securely into the straight or swivelled position so it stays firmly in place while you’re travelling or mounting and dismounting the stairlift chair.
Acorn stairlifts have large, easy-to-use paddles at both sides of the seat to operate its lockable swivel function so you can use whichever hand you prefer.
At the top or bottom of the stairs, simply push down on the lever to swivel the seat. For the straight stairlift model, the seat will lock at 45° and 90° when the handle is released. The curved stairlift model’s seat will lock at 45° and 88° when the handle is released.
The seat must be swiveled back into position to operate.
Once turned, the swivel seat also acts as a safety barrier at the top of the stairs. Remember to make sure that the seat is locked into the position facing away from the staircase before getting on or off of the stair lift.
4. Do not attempt to put two people at a time on the stairlift.
An Acorn stairlift is not designed to hold more than one person who meets the weight requirement at a time.
Besides the fact that two people’s weights could exceed the weight limit, the stairlift is only equipped with one seatbelt. This seatbelt ensures the stairlift user’s safety, as they will be securely strapped in while gliding up and down the stairs.
Attempting to put two people at a time on the stairlift, or placing dangerous or heavy objects that exceed the weight limit on the chair, can result in serious injury for the user, as well as serious damage to the stairlift.
5. Be sure to remove any obstructions before use.
In order to ensure a safe, smooth, uninterrupted ride on your stairlift, it is important that all obstructions on the stairs are removed beforehand.
However, in the case that there is an obstruction left behind, Acorn stairlifts are equipped with multiple sensors fitted to the footrest and carriage itself.
Children and pets often leave things on the stairs that you may not notice that your stairlift will detect.
Your stairlift’s sensors automatically cut off power if they detect any obstruction in its path of travel, such as anything inadvertently left on the stairs.
Even if you accidentally drop something while riding on the stairlift, such as a handbag or walking stick, your stairlift will sense these objects.
The moment your sensors detect any obstacle blocking the way, they will automatically bring the stairlift to a smooth stop. Once the obstacle has been removed, the stairlift’s journey can be safely resumed.
Interested in Giving Your Life a Lift? Contact Acorn Stairlifts to Get a Free, No-Obligation Quote of Your Stairlift Price
If you or a loved one struggle to use the stairs or find yourselves avoiding them altogether, a stairlift will help you rise above these obstacles, granting you full access to the home you love in one seamless, gliding motion.
With an Acorn stairlift, you will regain your mobility, independence, and peace of mind.
Don’t miss out on giving your life a lift. Click here to claim your free, no-obligation quote and learn how you can save with all of Acorn's latest stairlift offers.