Welcome to summer! The wonderful hot and sunny season officially began this past Sunday. We imagine that, like most Canadians, you’re pretty excited. However, it’s wise to not get so excited that you don’t play it safe. In addition to the old “wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water each day” advice, we want to ensure that those with disabilities are kept safe and comfortable throughout the hottest season of the year.

Do you utilize wheelchairs as your mobility solutions? It’s important to keep up with the maintenance of your device. Here are three keys to excellent summertime wheelchair maintenance:

1. Check the motor regularly.

If you own a power wheelchair, it only makes sense to check that the motor is in good working order on a regular basis. You don’t want to be out and about only to have the motor shut down. Needless to say, this will put you in a very awkward and potentially dangerous situation. With the wonderful summer weather encouraging you to leave your home more often, the motor of your wheelchair will be put to the test. Make sure it’s fully functional before you leave home.

“Most power wheelchairs come with a durable and long-lasting motor,” assures Virginia’s medical mobility experts, WSR, “However, during regular use the motor experiences normal wear and tear. A professional service technician can detect issues and future problems with the motor. Getting the motor inspected for summer will ensure you will enjoy the season without concerns about your wheelchair.”

2. Keep it clean!

You may not think that cleaning your wheelchair falls under the category of “maintenance”. Keeping clean isn’t all about looking good. Being a neat freak when it comes to this mobility solution is a great way to avoid having it in disrepair. Remove dirt, dust, grime, oil or just about anything else the great outdoors can throw its way. Doing so ensures your wheelchair will remain in good working order.

As far as Freedom Mobility Center, Inc. is concerned, you should consistently clean your wheelchair during the summer months. “As you go out in the summertime, your wheelchair will gather sweat in your seat, dirt in your wheels, and even gather some debris along the way,” informs their website, “Take the time each week to thoroughly clean it to stay on top of it. Not cleaning it frequently can lead to the wheelchair not operating properly or bringing unwanted dirt and mud inside your house.

3. Tighten up all screws and bolts.

The more you use your wheelchair, the more likely that its screws and bolts will loosen. Chances of this are bound to increase during the summer when you venture outdoors in your wheelchair. Excess use on rough terrain will especially encourage screws and bolts to loosen. Check on them regularly and make sure they are properly tightened. This will ensure the proper functioning of your ever-important mobility solution.

“Inspect your wheelchair and tighten any loose screws or bolts,” agrees WSR, “Also, replace any damaged or missing screws to ensure your safety during use.”

Do you require a wheelchair as your mobility solution? If you have any questions about the wheelchairs offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!