Are Stairlifts Safe? - Learn How To Stay Safe On A Stairlift

How does a stairlift improve home safety?

If you look after someone, the stairs are often the part of the house you worry about most. A stairlift takes the climb out of the picture, so they can get up and down without someone needing to be there.

Benefits of Stairlifts for Mobility Issues

The main benefit is independence. The user can get between floors without help, which matters for confidence as much as safety.

It also takes the effort out of the stairs, and with it much of the risk of a fall. The seat, controls and footrest can be set up to suit the user.

Stairlift Safety Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQs)

The simplest ways to make stairs safer are a clear staircase, good lighting and regular stairlift maintenance. The questions below cover the max weight a stairlift can carry, the safety features to look for and what happens in a fire. We also answer the most frequently asked questions about stairlifts on a separate page.

Is It Possible To Improve The Usability Of Your Stairwell?

Yes. A stairlift is fixed to the stair treads, not the wall, so it’s stable in use and leaves little damage when it’s removed. It also means the user doesn’t need someone with them every time they go upstairs.

The price of a stairlift depends on your staircase and the features the user needs.

Is It Safe For You And Your Family To Use The Stairlifts In Your Home?

Most people buying a stairlift ask whether it’s safe. Fitted and used properly, it is. A seat belt and a swivel seat are the two features that matter most for getting on and off.

Ask the supplier to confirm in writing that the model meets the stairlift safety standard, BS EN 81-40^[1]. Makers such as Companion Stairlifts publish their own safety information, and stairlift prices vary from company to company.

What Is The Maximum Weight Limit Of A Stairlift

Standard stairlifts are usually rated to carry 125 to 150 kg. Heavy-duty models go higher: the Access BDD HomeGlide HD, for example, is rated 160 kg at 45 degrees. The limit can be lower on steep or curved stairs, so check the rating for your actual staircase. A stairlift carries one person at a time.

How Can A Stairlift Keep You Safe

A powered swivel seat turns the chair to face the landing at the top, so the user gets on and off over the floor and not over the stairs. It’s a good option for anyone with joint pain or unsteady balance.

If the user’s knees or hips don’t bend well, sitting can be uncomfortable. A perch seat lets them half-stand instead, so ask about a perch or standing stairlift lift.

On curved stairlifts, the rail can run past the top step so the chair parks on the landing. That gives the user more room to get off. A seat belt holds them in for the whole journey.

Stairlifts run on rechargeable batteries that top up at the parking points, so a power cut won’t stop the lift. The batteries typically last three to five years before they need replacing.

What Stairlift Features Can You Make Use Of To Keep Yourself Safe At Home?

Deciding a stairlift is needed can be hard, and many people find it upsetting to admit they’re struggling. It helps to see it for what it is: a way to keep using the stairs with a stairlift safely, without relying on someone else. For a relative who needs assistance, it can mean staying independent at home for longer.

If A Fire Breaks Out In A Home That Has A Stairlift, What Happens?

A stairlift doesn’t change how you’d get out in a fire, but it does sit on your escape route. Fold the seat, arms and footrest when it’s parked so the stairs stay clear, and always park it at the top or bottom.

If the user can’t get down quickly without the lift, plan an escape route with them. Many fire and rescue services offer free home fire safety visits. Makers such as Stannah Stairlifts and other stairlift companies can explain how their lifts behave if the power fails.

What Safety Features Can You Find On A Stairlift?

A modern stairlift has a seat belt, a footrest, armrests, a swivel seat and a control on the armrest, plus call controls or remotes at the top and bottom. Buy from a reputable company, which will fit it properly and confirm it meets the relevant safety standards.

Do Stairlifts Have Safety Sensors?

Yes. Modern stairlifts have sensors on the footrest and carriage that stop the lift if they touch something on the stairs. Check the model you’re offered has them.

Professional Installation and Maintenance

Safety starts with installation. Use an experienced, reputable installer, because a badly fitted lift can cause problems or injuries.

After that, regular servicing catches faults early and keeps the lift running safely day to day.

Factors To Take Into Account When Shopping For Home Stairlifts

Look for a rail at the bottom of the stairlift that folds or slides out of the way, so it isn’t a trip hazard in the hallway. The motor should be fully covered so hair and clothing can’t get caught. The lift should also stop if the footrest or carriage meets resistance. When you buy a stairlift, ask what the service plan includes.

Stairlift Help and Support

The user manual is the best place to start. It explains how to use and look after the lift, including its weight limit, so read it before the first trip. Regular servicing keeps it safe over the years, and the main companies all offer servicing and repairs.

Summary Of Stairlift Safety

A stairlift can make the stairs at home much safer. What matters most is the right safety features, a clear staircase and regular servicing.

A stairlift carries one person at a time. On curved stairlifts, parking on the landing gives more room at the top. Seat belts and adjustable armrests, offered by the main stairlift companies, help the user stay safe, and the lift runs on rechargeable batteries.