For wheelchair safety, wheelchair maintenance should be a priority. Accidental injury to the wheelchair user can be caused by a wheelchair in need of repair.
Most experts believe that wheelchair maintenance should be done on a regular basis. Routine maintenance every month is often recommended.
Besides decreasing the risk of accidental injury, routine wheelchair maintenance can save the wheelchair user money. If the need for repairs is caught early, it can reduce the development of major problems that can be expensive to fix.
The routine wheelchair maintenance begins with inspecting the entire wheelchair for any problems such as loose bolts. Any loose screws or bolts can be tightened during this inspection.
Cleaning the wheelchair once a month with a damp cloth is recommended. Some people do the routine inspection and cleaning at the same time which saves time and makes sure that the entire wheelchair is inspected.
The pivot points of the wheelchair should be lubricated during the routine maintenance. The folding mechanism of a folding, manual wheelchair may need lubricating if the wheelchair does not fold as easily as it should.
The wheelchair user should check the wheels for cracks and wearing of the tread. The alignment of the wheels and condition of the spokes and rims should be checked. The removable parts of the wheelchair such as the leg rests and quick-release axles need to be tested to make sure they can be removed easily.
The brakes of an electric wheelchair should be tested to make sure they work properly. If the wheels of manual wheelchairs do not spin freely, they may have dirt or debris lodged in them.
Any cracks in the wheelchair frame or other problems that cannot be fixed by the wheelchair user needs professional repair. These repairs should be done promptly to avoid accidents caused by neglected repairs.
Some wheelchair maintenance requires more frequent attention. The air pressure in the wheels should be checked weekly. Air can be added to the tires with a hand pump or bicycle pump.
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