Dangers of DIY Stairlifts

Stairlifts help seniors and others with mobility impairments remain in their homes. Installing a stairlift can give you peace of mind by eliminating the fear that a loved one might fall on the stairs, and makes it possible for those who suffer from restricted mobility to get around their home freely again. Stairlifts can seem expensive at first glance, but in most cases, the prices quoted for chairlifts include the cost of installation. Some homeowners think they’ll save money by doing the installation themselves. While there are some companies that will sell a stair lift to be installed by someone else, installing stairlifts should never be a DIY project. There are some very good reasons that stair lifts should always be installed by a professional with experience in doing it.
Safety Concerns
The Homecare Industry information Service recently published a report on the dangers of buying and installing secondhand stairlifts or DIY stairlift installation. The report pointed out that DIY stairlift installation is physically dangerous, and can lead to injuries and even fatalities. In one widely reported incident, a young child was killed when his head became trapped under the footrest of a DIY-installed chairlift. Professionals understand the safety features and how to install them properly.
In addition, stairlifts are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Every stair lift must be properly fitted to the staircase on which it will be installed. Even on straight stairs, it’s important that the rail fittings be fitted properly to the rise and width of the stair treads. Stairlifts are complex, modern machines and should be installed by qualified professionals, if only for the safety concerns.
Financial Concerns
Many people who thought they’d save money buying a secondhand stairlift found they’d been penny wise and pound foolish. Some businesses do a thriving trade in coming in to repair damage done when DIY stairlifts go off the rails – sometimes quite literally. Family members who thought they’d save a bit of cash by doing their own installation have often found that the lift doesn’t operate properly because a safety feature is installed incorrectly – or worse, someone is injured because of the faulty installation and they have not only the repair bill but the medical bills as well.
Finally, older stairlifts may not incorporate the latest safety devices and features, making them unsafe. A reputable dealer and installer of stairlifts won’t sell outdated, dangerous equipment, so you can always be assured that you’re buying a safe product and that it is installed correctly for proper, safe operation.