What to do if your stairlift breaks down

Let it be said before all else that a stairlift under all normal circumstances is an extremely reliable piece of equipment. They simply have to be. Having been involved with stairlifts for about forty years, we can recall just one situation where a child was stuck on a stairlift.  This was easily resolved.

However, if you are wondering what you should do in the unfortunate event of a stairlift breakdown, read on.

Stairlift safety measures 

Under the latest stairlift safety standards, (EN 81-40:2020) if you are using the stairlift when alone in the house, then you should either be carrying a Mobile phone or have an alarm pendant OR the stairlift itself should be fitted with an emergency alarm system. This is available on both the Homeglide and the FlowX.

What to do in the event of a breakdown

In the event of a breakdown do not panic.

If you were going up when the problem occurred try and see if the lift will go down. If the unit will travel down, go back to the bottom, and visually inspect the stairlift track to be sure that there are no obstacles on it.  It is easier than what you might think to drop something that can stop progress. If there’s a cardigan sleeve or your handkerchief that is the culprit, remove it. If not, try the uprun again. If it stops in the same place, go back down again, leave the stairlift, and make yourself comfortable as best as you can.

At this point you would need to contact whoever installed the stairlift and arrange a call-out from them. If you were travelling downstairs when the problem occurred, then repeat the above in the opposite manner.

And if you’re stuck on the stairlift?

If you are literally stuck on the stairlift and unable sensibly/safely to get off it and use the stairs normally, again do not panic.

Use whatever emergency system you have available to call for help. It does have to be said that even if an engineer was to turn up, if you were still seated on the lift there is no guarantee that the problem could be resolved before you had exited the stairlift seat. If all else fails and you need rescuing there is always the option to call 999 and ask for assistance.

How can Felgains help?

If you wish to report a problem with your stairlift to Felgains we are always glad to know if you are in an emergency situation (for example – you won’t be able to go to bed at night time) or whether the lift is simply not functioning quite as it should.

If you are in a difficult situation through the failure of your stairlift, then under all normal circumstances a member of the team at Felgains will get to you on that same working day. If the problem needs attention but is not critical then Felgains will arrange to send out a member of their service team at the earliest time that suits both you and them.

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Can a stairlift be fitted to any stairs? (Straight, Curved, Narrow stairs)

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