Lift safety

Safely using stair lifts in your home

Stair lifts can be really helpful and provide a solution for people to travel up and down stairs with ease. If you have a stair lift installed at home (whether it was installed by us or not) it's really important you know how how to use it and maintain it safely. Here's some useful guidance to keep you safe at home:

1. Don't overload them
   All stair lifts have a weight restriction. This is usually written on your machine, but you can also find it by contacting the manufacturer. It's important you don't exceed this so parts don't wear quicker or become ineffective. 
   
   
2. Service them regularly
   A poorly maintained stairlift can be dangerous to use, therefore it's really important you make sure your stair lift is serviced annually. A service checks for any faults or issues and repairs them making it safe to use. 

   We now complete FREE safety inspections for stair lifts. Just get in touch to let us know you have one and we can arrange it for you. 

3. Report any problems
   It's always a good idea to complete a visual check before you use it. If you notice something doesn't look or sound right stop using it immediately and report it. 
   
   
4. Keep lifts well maintained 
   When using a stair lift keep it free from any obstructions, and keep it clean and clear of dust.

Safely using passenger lifts in your scheme

If you live in a village or apartment building you might have and regularly use a communal lift. 

We complete monthly inspections to make sure they are safe for you to use, but it's important you know how to use them safely and what to do if you spot something that isn't right. Here's some useful guidance to keep you safe at home:

1. Don't overload them
   All passenger lifts will have a weight restriction. It's usually displayed inside the lift with a maximum person capacity. It's important you check and don't exceed this as it can affect the way it works. 
   
   
2. Report any problems
   Although we regularly inspect lifts, it's important you complete a visual check of lifts before you use them. If you notice something isn't quite right you should stop using it immediately and report it to us. 
   
   
3. Don't use it in the event of a fire
   If there's a fire in your building do not use the lifts. They will stop working and you will need to take the stairs. For more information about what to do in the event of a fire, visit our fire safety page or speak to your scheme manager. 
   
   
4. Getting stuck in a passenger lift
   It rarely happens, but if you get stuck in a lift, don't panic. You can call for help by pressing the alarm button. Each lift is slightly different, but there are instructions on what to do in each lift - follow them to let us know the lift is stuck.