What safety checks should I perform if my lift chair has been unused for a prolonged period?

Before using a lift chair that has been unused for a prolonged period, carry out a careful visual and functional safety check. Inspect the power supply, handset, cables, battery backup, upholstery and moving parts, then test the chair through its full range of movement while it is unoccupied. If it shows any damage, unusual noise, hesitation, burning smell or other fault, stop using it and arrange a professional inspection.

Start with the chair disconnected from the mains. Check the chair, plug and surrounding floor area for signs of damp, impact damage, pests or anything that could have entered the mechanism while it was stored or unused. Do not operate the chair if it has been exposed to water or excessive humidity until it has been assessed by a suitably qualified technician.

Examine the mains lead, plug and transformer cable along their full length. Look for cuts, crushed sections, stretched cables, exposed wiring, scorch marks or loose connections. The plug should fit securely in the socket, and the socket should not show signs of overheating. Do not use an extension lead or attempt to repair damaged wiring yourself unless the equipment is specifically designed for it and the repair is carried out by a competent person.

Check the handset and its cable for cracks, sticking buttons, loose connections or damage caused by pets. Make sure the handset has not been trapped under the chair or caught between the arm and the seat. If the chair uses a wireless control, check that it is responsive and replace its batteries if necessary, following the instructions supplied with the chair.

Inspect the backup battery system. Many lift chairs have batteries that allow the chair to return to a safe position during a power cut. Batteries can lose charge or deteriorate while a chair is left unused, so check for swelling, leakage, corrosion or a loose connection. Do not handle a leaking or damaged battery. A battery that has been stored for a long period may need charging or replacement, and the backup function should be checked by a professional if you are unsure how to test it safely.

Look underneath and around the chair for obstructions. Remove toys, clothing, pet bedding, cables and other objects that could become trapped as the chair reclines or lifts. Keep fingers, feet, walking aids and other people clear of the moving parts. Check that the chair is standing on a stable, level surface and that it has sufficient clearance from walls, furniture and other household items throughout its movement.

Inspect the upholstery, seams, armrests and footrest for loose material, broken supports or objects lodged inside the padding. Check that the footrest closes correctly and that any locking or support features engage as intended. Do not use the chair if its frame appears bent, the seat is unstable, the footrest is misaligned or the upholstery is interfering with the mechanism.

When the visual checks are complete, reconnect the chair to the mains and carry out the first test with nobody sitting in it. Keep the handset and cables clear of the mechanism, stand to one side and operate each movement briefly. Observe whether the chair starts and stops smoothly, rises and reclines evenly, and reaches its normal positions without sticking or excessive vibration.

Listen for grinding, clicking, knocking, scraping or repeated motor noise. Also watch for jerky movement, unexpected pauses, tilting, movement in the wrong direction or a control that remains active after you release the button. A slight sound from a motor or mechanism may be normal for a particular model, but a new or noticeably louder noise after storage should not be ignored.

Stop the test immediately if you notice a burning smell, smoke, heat from the plug or transformer, sparking, a tripped circuit, damaged wiring or any uncontrolled movement. Disconnect the chair from the mains only if it is safe to do so, keep it out of use and contact Independent Stairlifts or a qualified lift chair technician. Do not continue testing to try to identify the fault, and do not remove covers or work on the lifting mechanism yourself.

Once the chair has passed its unoccupied test, operate it with the user seated correctly and with the area around the chair clear. Keep the handset within easy reach, avoid placing weight on the footrest before it is fully extended and make sure the chair is not overloaded. If the chair has been unused because of an existing fault, or if its servicing history is uncertain, arrange a professional service before returning it to regular use.

• Check for damp, impact damage and obstructions.
• Inspect the plug, transformer, mains lead, handset and battery connections.
• Look for battery leakage, swelling or corrosion.
• Confirm that the chair is stable and has clearance to move safely.
• Test every movement while the chair is unoccupied.
• Stop using the chair if it hesitates, moves unevenly, overheats, smells unusual or makes new noises.
• Arrange professional advice for electrical, battery or mechanical faults.

These checks reduce the risk of using a chair with a hidden electrical or mechanical problem, but they do not replace servicing where a fault is suspected. Keep the manufacturer’s instructions available, as battery arrangements, reset procedures and safe operating limits vary between models.