New users of wheelchairs should be aware of basic wheelchair safety in the beginning of their use of a wheelchair. Much of wheelchair safety involves paying attention to the shifting center of gravity when the user changes position like when they reach for an object on the floor.
The mechanics of the wheelchair should be inspected regularly for proper functioning. The brakes are especially important to check as they may wear and become less effective over time. Necessary repairs should not be ignored.
A wheelchair user should never pick up objects from the floor by reaching between their knees. Leaning forward in this way can cause the wheelchair to tip forward. Instead, the wheelchair user should position the wheelchair beside the object and reach over the side of the wheelchair.
Reaching backwards can pose safety risks. Wheelchair users should consider the extension of the arm as a limit to reaching objects behind them. Stretching to reach objects or shifting the body to reach backwards can cause the wheelchair to tip backwards.
Curbs and steps can be dangerous for wheelchair users. These obstacles should only be negotiated with the assistance of someone else. If the wheelchair user is alone, the wheelchair user should look for ways around these obstacles such as ramps.
Surface hazards such as holes or slippery floors should be approached cautiously. Most of the time, these problematic areas can be avoided as long as the wheelchair user is paying attention to the floor or ground surface.
Sloped surfaces take more strength to control and maneuver the wheelchair than flat surfaces. Wheelchair users should know their ability to use ramps and other inclining and declining surfaces before using them on their own.
Special wheelchair safety features are available to meet the specific needs of wheelchair users. For example, a wheelchair belt with an alarm can alert attendants if a wheelchair user who is at high risk of falling attempts to rise from the wheelchair.
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