Staying Safe On Your Wheelchair

As a brave man once said, winter is coming. In fact, it’s only a few weeks away, really. So now is the perfect time to start thinking about how you can stay safe on your wheelchair this winter.

That is precisely why we wanted to offer some key points of advice on how to stay safe and sound in the cold and dreary months. Therefore, here are 6 things that you should really pay attention to if you are going to be travelling in your wheelchair this winter.

Plan Out Your Journey

The first key aspect of staying safe in your wheelchair in winter is to plan your journeys ahead of time. Now, that doesn’t mean that you have to note down every single detail of where you are going, what you are doing and which type of sandwich to take with you.

Instead, we would recommend that you look at the weather predictions and available routes that you can travel. Choose what places you plan to visit and figure out the safest method of reaching them when considering the weather reports.

This way, whilst the weather might not look terrible outside at the time, you can ensure that you are prepared for as many sudden changes as possible.

Pay Attention To Your Surroundings

As you know, during Winter there is a very strong possibility that the ground will be covered in snow, slush or ice. This, of course, includes places like car parks and driveways.

Because of that, it is really important that you keep an eye out on your surroundings when you are travelling in your wheelchair. Obstacles like black ice can still be hard to see, however, so that goes back to having someone else with you. They can help you to spot these tricky obstacles and avoid them.

Stock Up

When you are heading out for the day and the weather has turned for the worse, it can be really important to have a stock of extra items with you. This can be really helpful in the case of an emergency, as you won’t be stuck without the tools and items that you need.

For example, it would be a really good idea to bring spare batteries for an electric wheelchair – just make sure they are fully charged. On top of this, it would not be a bad idea to bring snacks and drinks with you as well. Plus, everyone loves to have a little snack now and then whilst they are out and about, don’t they?

We would also suggest that you pack enough medication so that you don’t have to worry about not having the right amount when you are out for the day.

Pick Out Some Accessories

There are so many accessories out there that we would recommend for the winter months. For example, getting waterproof accessories such as a wheelchair capes or wheelchair ponchos can help to keep you comfortable and dry in the rain and snow.

Getting some leather wheelchair gloves can also be a really good idea when you are using a manual wheelchair. This is especially true when you consider the potential for a very strong chill. Having gloves can keep your hands warm whilst manoeuvring your wheelchair.

You could even invest in a wheelchair powerpack to turn your manual wheelchair into an electric wheelchair if you wanted to.

Get An Upgrade

Now we understand that a wheelchair is an investment as well as a mobility aid. We also know that replacing or upgrading a wheelchair that you have used for a long time probably isn’t something that you actually want to do.

However, it can actually help to keep you safe during the winter. By upgrading to an electric wheelchair such as the Kymco K-Active and you’ll be able to travel easier during the harsher winter months.

If you are worried about your wheelchair this winter, want to go hold of some accessories for your wheelchair, or even want to upgrade it, then get in touch with us today. We are more than happy to help you work out what is best for you, personally. You can contact us through our contact form or by calling us on 01733 342242.