A mobility scooter is a great option for those who need some extra help getting around. They make it safer for people to navigate through crowds and travel long distances, but it is important that you use your mobility scooter in the proper way so that you stay safe the way you are supposed to. Keep reading for three mobility scooter safety tips that anyone who owns a scooter or is thinking about purchasing one should know.
1. When Going Up A Ramp, Drive Straight
While a basic street curb ramp is easy for most scooters to handle, you still need to be careful when going up a ramp. Driving straight up ramps is the best way to keep your scooter (and yourself) stable. If you go up a ramp at an angle, you could cause your scooter to tip. Most scooters have extra wheels in the back that function as anti-tip protection. When you drive straight up the ramp, this anti-tip protection should kick in, but if you go up at an angle, your wheels won't be able to keep you up.
2. Make Sure You Can Be Seen
This tip is especially important if you often travel alone and your mobility scooter is your primary form of transportation. Attach a brightly color flag to your wheelchair to make it easier to see. If you travel at night often, you should also invest in headlights, reflector tape, and/or flashing taillights to make yourself visible in the dark. Make sure your flag extends above your head so that everyone can see it. These simple additions will do wonders in keeping you safe from other drivers.
3. Avoid Shattered Or Slanted Streets
No matter how comfortable you are with navigating the streets on your mobility scooter, it is important to avoid certain roads for your safety and to keep your scooter in good condition. If the pavement slants to the side or has large cracks in it, your scooter could slip or tip to the side. Not only can you be injured when your scooter tips, but your scooter could also be damaged. You likely paid a lot of money for it, so it's important that you keep it in good shape.
Whether you are getting a mobility scooter, from a place like Access Mobility Products, for the first time or have been driving one for a while, it is important to know the best ways to stay safe while using one. Keep these tips in mind, and you shouldn't have any problems getting around!
Share4 February 2016
When we started focusing on emergency preparedness, we thought our simple first aid kit would work in most situations. To test it out, we took it on a road trip with us. Unfortunately, we quickly realized our kit was missing several essential supplies, including bandages, tweezers, and even key medications. After dealing with a few emergencies, we knew we needed to invest in better medical equipment. We purchased highly portable, yet effective, medical supplies so that we could prepare for anything life would throw at us. This blog is all about medical equipment that you might need someday.
