For wheelchair users and their families, safety is a primary concern.
Using a wheelchair - for all the freedom and independence it gives - is a big responsibility, which in the interest of everyone must not be taken lightly.
Several factors contribute to the many accident risk, using a wheelchair exposes one to.
One of such is the wheelchair wheels itself.
A wheelchair is a chair on wheels, basically.
Without the wheels, there is no wheelchair.
This will give you an insight into how important the wheels are on your wheelchair.
Here, we will share on how to take care of the wheels on your wheelchair.
So you may protect yourself and others from accidents and grief.
The choice of wheels on your wheelchair is a factor which decides the sort of care and attention you need to pay to them, in preventing accidents.
Your wheelchair wheels also affect how smooth or rough, riding over different grounds will be; How easily you can turn the wheels; How fast or slow the wheelchair can go; and How smooth it is to control.
These are all affected by the wheelchair wheels, its' tyres and casters.
The wheels could be Pneumatic or Solid, Puncture-Proofed.
Pneumatic wheels are air-filled and give a less bumpy ride.
But require more care and maintenance than the solid, puncture-proof tyres.
Here are 10 safety tips to observe in keeping your wheelchair wheels / tyres accident-proof.
i.
Check the tyre pressure regularly.
Keep them inflated at the right pressure, as specified on the tyre itself.
This makes it roll easily and smoothly.
ii.
Be sure the wheels are well threaded.
And not threadbare.
iii.
Replace tyres when they become worn and threadbare.
iv.
For a manual wheelchair, check the front and rear wheels to ensure they spin freely.
v.
Check the wheel alignment.
Is it straight? A quick and easy way to do this is to push the wheelchair across a flat area.
If it goes in a straight line, then all is well.
Otherwise, the wheel might be out of alignment and needs some straightening out.
Or the bearings may have weakened and need to be replaced.
Or then, maybe the spokes have become loose or damaged.
vi.
Keep clothes and other attachments away from getting caught in the wheel spokes.
vii.
Wheelchair wheels lose their grip on the road when wet, making them slippery.
Be careful in the rain, snow or on wet surfaces.
If possible stay indoors till the elements are dry again.
Or maybe travel in a wheelchair van.
viii.
Keep all four wheels firmly on the ground at all times when riding.
ix.
Check that the brakes don't touch the tyres while rolling.
This can affect the ease with which the tyres roll, causing unnessesary wear.
Make adjustments if they do touch.
x.
Take your wheelchair to the specialist regularly to maintain top performance And finally, keep the wheelchair wheels safely in the locked position when you are parked; Before you stand up from the wheelchair and before sitting down in it.
This is a common factor which causes a lot of falls and accidents amongst wheelchair users.
Be careful! Observe Wheelchair Safety Rules.
Prevention is easier, safer and less painful than cure!