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“The kitchen is the heart of any home” is a popular phrase widely proclaimed by the masses. While the kitchen is a place for households and friends to commune and share food in comfort, it is also notorious for hosting a number of threatening household hazards, if its occupants aren’t careful. Beechfield Healthcare has the following tips on how to keep a safe and secure kitchen and avoid any potential dangers as you go about your daily business.

Plan your kitchen the right way

You might not be able to rearrange kitchen counters and large appliances but you can still be smart with the placement of your utensils. Having the right kitchen utensils near the correct units is a must for all kitchen owners, particularly those dealing with mobility or other physical issues. Keep oven mitts near the oven and make sure sharp objects such as knifes are safely stowed away in a convenient, easy-to-access location.

Stay on top of things

Food preparation will result in dirty cutlery, scattered utensils and spillages across kitchen floors, appliances and units. For a healthy kitchen environment, it is best to clear up spoils as soon as possible. A clean environment will protect you from harmful bacteria, particularly if you’re susceptible and vulnerable to common illnesses. Wiping up spillages prevent any falls or injuries. Be careful that heated units, such as cooking hobs, kettles or cooking appliances, are given time to cool before cleaning.

Don’t be complacent

Using kitchen appliances is such a common thing for homeowners that we sometimes take kitchen safety for granted. There are many small mistakes in the kitchen that can lead to accidents. Never cook while wearing loose clothing or accessories as these can get caught in utensils or catch fire. Make sure to wash hands thoroughly before food preparation to rid yourself of harmful bacteria. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove to prevent dangerous spillages and make sure to store away temperature sensitive foods as quickly as possible.

Look into making adjustments

For people struggling with disabilities, there are hireable professionals out there who can make adjustments to aid and convenience you in the kitchen. There are many mod cons available for kitchens nowadays such as pan holders that keep pots in place when in use, wall ovens, adjustable countertops, pull-out surfaces and sling belts which attach to counters and help people stand more securely.

The kitchen may be the heart of the home but it’s not without its dangers. By following the above tips, you can ensure a greater level of security in your home and avoid dangerous occurrences in future.

Following on from our article on considerations when buying a mobility scooter, Beechfield Healthcare are here to share a number of tips related to mobility scooter safety.Read the instruction manual: 

It may sound obvious but reading the instruction manual for your mobility scooter will help familiarise yourself with the functions and limitations of the scooter while also providing you with instructions on safe use, its capabilities on rough terrains, required maintenance and especially battery charging.

Navigating ramped curbs: 

With a mobility scooter, it is best to drive the scooter head-on at any ramped curbs. The manual should once again come in handy to instruct on the scooter’s ability to navigate steep ramps. Do not drive up ramps at an angle as this may cause the scooter to tip.

Be visible: 

When travelling by road, be aware that mobility scooters are at a height disadvantage to other motorists. It is, therefore, important to:

• Wear brightly coloured or reflective clothing. Placing reflective strips on the back and sides of the scooter is also worth considering.
• If your scooter has lights, switch them on so that you are more visible in dark or overcast conditions.
• A brightly coloured flag attached to the backseat of the scooter improves your visibility and allows you to be seen from a distance.

Obey traffic rules: 

Mobility scooter users are classified as pedestrians. This means following the same rules as pedestrians such as travelling by footpath if accessible and crossing the road at pedestrian crossings. Always be cautious when using the road and make eye contact with motorists before crossing to ensure that they are intending to stop and let you by.

Be prepared: 

When travelling around in your mobility scooter, familiarise yourself with the places you go to most. This will warn you of obstacles that may hinder or slow down your journey, allowing you plan the best route in future. During this process, take someone with you to help out and always carry a mobile phone in case you are stuck when alone. When disembarking from your scooter, make sure it’s turned off and the brake is applied to prevent accidents.

Conclusion:

If you are interested in buying a mobility scooter from us, check out our full range of mobility scooters. If you need impartial, free, professional advice call us on 057 868 2304. Our scooters come with free delivery to anywhere on the island of Ireland and we will not be beaten on price.

People with mobility issues may often consider buying a mobility scooter for getting around and carrying out everyday tasks. They may also wonder how a mobility scooter compares to cars in terms of flexibility, convenience and legislation. If you are one of these people, or have a loved one considering the purchase of a mobility scooter, Beechfield Healthcare offers the following advice.

Choose the right mobility scooter for you: 

Before buying a mobility scooter, it is important to assess the situation so that you can make the right purchase. Factors include the severity and expected length of mobility issues, the amount of journeying that will be done in the mobility scooter and the type of terrain that the scooter will be travelling on regularly. These factors together should determine whether a mobility scooter is worth a purchase and which type best meets your needs.

Legislation involved in mobility scooters versus cars: 

Unlike cars, you do not need to pass a test, hold a licence or obtain road tax to ride around on a mobility scooter. Mobility scooters are classified similarly to bicycles. Scooter users are expected to use roads and pathways the same way as pedestrians.

Features of a mobility scooter: 

Mobility scooters come in three standard sizes of small, medium and large. Small boot scooters are relatively inexpensive, easily dismantled and lightweight, making them easy to store away or take with you in the boot of your car. Medium and large scooters are heavier and bulkier but they are equipped with more features which allow for longer journeys, carrying luggage or shopping, navigating rougher terrain and generally have longer battery lives.

Mobility scooter maintenance and warranty: 

Mobility scooters require very little maintenance. The main areas of focus here are to ensure that the batteries are charged daily, tyre pressure is checked weekly and that the machine is kept clean. It is important to buy your mobility scooter from a reputable source and comes with a comprehensive warranty. It is also hugely beneficial to buy off a company who will do regular service checks on the scooter to ensure that it continues working correctly and where they can offer advice.

Conclusion:

Mobility scooters are a worthy consideration for people with mobility issues due to their convenience, low cost and ability to use indoors and outdoors.

Beechfield Healthcare offer a full range of mobility scooters and give free impartial advice on what type would best suit your needs and budget. For further information call 057 868 2304.

For people struggling with mobility issues in a multi-storey home, a stairlift is often the most practical solution to moving between different levels of a house with relative ease and comfort. Before making such a purchase, however, it is important to do your research and consider the following points so that you buy the stairlift that best meets you or a loved one’s individual needs.

1. Consider the budget: 
It is important to consider the budget when buying a stairlift. If you or a loved one has a considerable budget, then a brand new high quality stairlift can be purchased. If on a tight budget, you might consider buying or renting a pre-owned or reconditioned stairlift. Most pre-owned stairlifts should be under warranty and cover any maintenance costs. 

2. Know the staircase details for stairlift installation: 
It is good to determine the length, width and shape of the staircase before purchase. Stairlifts will work on most stairs whether they are straight, curved or helical. This also applies to staircases with one or more of these factors, such as a mostly straight staircase with curved steps near the top and/or bottom. The more details that can be provided to the stairlift installation service, the more accurate the installation quote will be.

3. Look out for additional safety features:
Many stairlift providers will install stairlifts that come equipped with a range of safety features. Such features include arm and foot rests, swivel seats, remote controls and emergency stop buttons among others.

4. Purchase from a reliable source:
It is extremely important to purchase a stairlift from a trusted company. A genuine installer will provide the right system without causing many modifications to the structure of you or a loved one’s home. They will also be able to provide advice and perform the required maintenance to the stairlift if it is under warranty.

5. Choose a stairlift with warranty:
It is always better to choose a stairlift with warranty. This will provide you or the stairlift user with services that are free of charge, should there be any issues. It is important to get a stairlift with long warranty so that you can be assured that the system will be taken care of, especially after long-term use.

If you have any questions about buying a stairlift or need further advice before deciding on stairlift installation, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. We will be happy to offer recommendations and guidance.