A stair lift is a personal lifting aid that is used to carry an individual up and down the stairs. The first stair lift was developed almost 90 years ago. Since then they have grown in popularity and technologically have greatly advanced.

If you have a straight staircase in your home, then you could probably install a stair lift very easily. Stair lifts utilize a chair or small platform to carry a single person to the top of the stairs and back down again. The chair or platform is attached to an electric motor, which is attached to a set of tracks. The tracks, usually made from reinforced aluminum, are bolted to the stair case in most instances. The chair and motor, frequently referred to as a car, is sent up the distance of the track. The seated individual is in control of the car and as a safety feature, most only move while there is pressure on the call button.

Most stair lifts support in the neighborhood of 300 pounds. This is the norm, but there are models available that can support much more than this. Stair lifts that can support more than 300 pounds are said to be heavy duty lifts and some are capable of lifting 500 pounds. Lifts that have a higher weight rating are also specially reinforced to support this weight. They most often have wider seats and the footrest and the armrests are made to be much durable.

Modern stair lifts on straight staircases can be quickly installed, usually in only a few hours. While the installation process can be done by many people, if you do not feel comfortable doing it, most dealers have an installation team that can have you up and moving quickly and inexpensively. If there is any doubt as to your ability to install the lift, it is far better to pay a little bit extra and be certain that your unit is installed right, rather than trying to do it yourself.

Before you order your stair lift it will be necessary to measure your stairs. It will be necessary to measure the total length and width of the stairs as well as measuring the individual dimensions of a single step. Your dealer will be able to help explain the measurements and can even have someone come to your home and take the measurements for you. It is a very good idea to have a friend or relative help you with the measurements, especially if you have difficulty using the stairs.

There are a few different places to get a stair lift, but you will probably be best served by finding an online merchant. At a brick and mortar store you will likely pay much more and usually only sell units that are overly complicated to install. Buying online from a reputable dealer allows you to save money on the newest products. Always ensure that the online merchant has a call center though, even if you don’t intend to use it. The merchants call center is a valuable source of information and they can help answer virtually any question you might have about your stair lift. This includes measurement issues, safety concerns, installation procedures, and much more.

A stair lift can greatly increase the ability of an individual to use their home and their stairs. Rather than take a risk with your own wellbeing or that of someone you love, you should invest in safety and invest in a stair lift.

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