If you have a wheel chair, you know how important it is to you. This is a big investment that you want to protect. So, do yourself (if your capable) or your loved one a favor and help them maintain their wheel chair to ensure they are getting around safely and to pro long having to buy a new one. We have put together some easy maintenance tips for you to do on a weekly or bi-weekly basis: Wipe chair down with clean damp rag.
- Wipe your chair down with a clean damp rag.
- Inspect wheels to ensure spokes from the axle to the rim are intact, and that rims are not bent.
- Inspect front casters for wobbling, excessive play and alignment.
- Clean axle housings of any debris.
- Check tire pressure.
- Check that wheel locks/brakes are secured tightly to the frame and are easily activated.
- After a thorough cleaning, use a car wax on the frame to make the next cleaning easier.
- Check for loose nuts and bolts.
- Check your wheel alignment.
- Check for easy release and replacement of removable legrests, footrests, armrests and backrests.
- Inspect chair frame for cracks.
- Check that quick-release axles remove quickly.
Is this your first wheel chair?
Here’s a few things you should do and learn once you get your wheel chair:
- Purchase a tube of “touch-up” paint to cover scratches and chipped paint.
- Learn how to change your tires.
- Purchase a tire “patch” kit and make sure its accessible.
- Purchase a hand-pump to inflate tires.
Stay safe by following the following practices:
- Lift the footplates up before getting in or out of the chair.
- Keep loose objects or lap cover away from the wheel spokes.
- It’s a good practice to always lock the brakes before getting in and out of the wheelchairs
