If you are experiencing mobility difficulties, it may be time to make some changes in your home to accommodate your own safety. If you live in a multilevel house, and are having difficulties getting up and down stairs, a stair lift could be the right solution for easing your pains and keeping you from being harmed by a fall. In order to choose the right model for your needs, it is important that you be an informed consumer and understand the different aspects of stair lift products.
On a dark, stormy night where you lose power in your home and may need to leave for safety or security reasons, or just need to go downstairs and check a fuse box, it's important that you be able to do those things safely if you are mobility-impaired. Battery-powered stair lifts have a benefit that electric-powered stair lifts don't: in the event of a power outage, the lift will still function so long as the battery carries a charge. Most battery-powered stair lifts are equipped with rechargeable batteries, and the unit draws power from a charge station on the rail track. Some battery-operated models even constantly draw a charge no matter where they are on the track, so you don't need to remember to return the lift to the proper rail point every time you use it.
If you have a particularly large staircase in your home, or if you are concerned that a regular stair lift model will not support your weight, you may want to consider buying a heavy duty lift. Most heavy duty lifts will support up to 500 lbs. of weight, but they also require a wide stairway to function - typically above three feet in width.
If you need to install a stair lift but don't want to pay full price for a factory-new unit, be aware that many companies offer refurbished models for a reduced price. Safety standards on refurbished models are quite strict, and if you buy from a reputable dealer, the unit will serve you just as well as a new one. The downside of buying a used stair lift is that most refurbished models will not carry as long of a warranty as a new one, so if you want to maximize your warranty coverage, this might not be the best option for you.
As with any large home improvement investment, be smart when purchasing your stair lift. Measure your stairs and check the weight limits on the model you're considering to make sure it suits your needs. Check to see what your warranty covers, and for how long - particularly the unit's drive train. And as always, consult your financial advisor before agreeing to any financing arrangement to make sure you're receiving an equitable interest rate on the loan. Following these precautions will ensure that you will be satisfied with your purchase, and will maximize your safety when you use the device.
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Randy McIntire is an expert on mobility products such as stairlifts. He has seen how these products can change lives. For more information, visit http://www.4-stair-lifts.com .
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