If your home is both family-friendly and stairlift-equipped, you might find yourself asking a pretty important question: How can I keep my little ones safe around our stairlift?
Stairlifts are designed with safety in mind, but when you have curious kids underfoot, it’s always best to go the extra mile to prevent any careless accidents. With just a few proactive steps, you can create a home environment that’s not only accessible but also totally child-safe.
Here are 7 smart and simple stairlift safety tips every parent, grandparent, or caregiver should know—so you can maintain peace of mind while keeping your home safe and secure for every generation.
7 Essential Stairlift Safety Tips for Children
1. Turn Off the Stairlift with the Key Lock
One of the easiest and most effective ways to childproof your stairlift? Use the key lock.
Every Acorn Stairlift comes with a built-in key-operated switch that allows you to disable the lift when it’s not in use. Make it a habit to turn off the stairlift and store the key in a spot that’s completely out of reach of little hands.
This simple action helps prevent unsupervised use—and gives you one less thing to worry about.
2. Let Kids Know: “It’s Not a Toy!”
To a child, a stairlift might look like a fun, amusement park ride—But it’s definitely not meant for play.
Take a moment to explain that the stairlift is a medical device, made to help people who have trouble with stairs. Set clear, age-appropriate rules about staying off the lift, and remind them regularly.
Framing the stairlift as something to **respect—not ride for fun—**is an important part of keeping everyone safe and making sure your lift lasts.
3. Keep a Close Eye on Young Kids Near the Lift
It goes without saying: toddlers and preschoolers should never be left unattended near the stairs—especially when a stairlift is involved.
Even though Acorn Stairlifts come packed with safety features like seatbelts and sensors, nothing beats hands-on supervision. Be nearby whenever your stairlift is in motion and keep kids safely away from the path of travel.
4. Keep the Stairs Clear of Toys and Clutter
Toys, clothes, books, or even a stray sock on the stairs? That’s a hazard waiting to happen—for both loved ones and your stairlift.
Make sure the stairs stay clean, clutter-free, and clear of obstacles at all times. Encourage your children to store their things in bins, baskets, or shelves far from the staircase.
However, should something go unnoticed, no need to panic. We know that accidents can happen.
This is why in the case that there is an obstruction left behind, Acorn stairlifts are equipped with multiple smart sensors fitted to the footrest and carriage itself.
Your stairlift sensors will detect these items, automatically cutting off power if they detect any obstruction in its path of travel, such as anything inadvertently left on the stairs.
Even if you accidentally drop something while riding on the stairlift, such as a handbag or walking stick, your stairlift will sense these objects.
The moment your sensors detect any obstacle blocking the way, they will automatically bring the stairlift to a smooth stop. Once the obstacle has been removed, the stairlift’s journey can be safely resumed.
Remember that a tidy stairway is a safer one—for everyone.
5. Teach Older Kids How to Be Stairlift Helpers
If you’ve got older kids or teens in the house, get them involved. Show them how to safely assist a family member using the stairlift—whether that means folding the footrest, holding the remote, or helping Grandma buckle up.
Not only does this teach responsibility, but it also sets a great example for younger siblings who are watching and learning.
6. Use Baby Gates for Extra Peace of Mind
Got a baby or a toddler on the move? Installing baby gates at the top and bottom of your staircase is a great way to keep curious crawlers out of harm’s way.
Especially during hectic moments—like getting out the door in the morning or hosting visitors—these simple gates can make a big difference in preventing accidents and keeping the stairlift area secure.
7. Don’t Skip Stairlift Maintenance
Lastly, Acorn stairlifts are life-changing devices that allow you to reach another level, both in your quality of life and home—They are the most durable, dependable, and cutting-edge products on the market.
Acorn’s attention to detail, as well as manufacturing and servicing only performed by stairlift experts also means you can be assured of a top-class stairlift that will serve you for many years to come.
That being said, it’s no surprise that no matter how superior or stable a product is, there is inevitably going to be some wear and tear that comes with everyday use. You must know how to properly care for it in order to maintain its high quality.
Routine maintenance and safety checks help ensure your stairlift continues running smoothly and safely—especially in a home where it sees frequent use.
Acorn offers professional servicing to keep your stairlift in top shape, giving you confidence that it’s ready when your loved ones need it.
In order to keep possible future prices as low as possible, Acorn also offers additional cover options to ensure the lift’s longevity with low-cost maintenance for our customers.
This means that despite any eventuality, you can have confidence that you and your stairlift will always be up and running—Ready whenever you need it.
A Safe Home is a Happy Home
Stairlifts can be life-changing devices that take your life to the next level, but who and where you buy your lift from matters.
When you choose to go with Acorn Stairlifts, you are choosing a quality lift that will last for years to come—manufactured, installed, and serviced by only the top stairlift experts in the industry.
If you or a loved one struggle to use the stairs or find yourselves avoiding them altogether, a stairlift will help you rise above these obstacles, granting you full access to the home you love in one seamless, sweeping motion.
Acorn Stairlifts strives to lift your life so that you will never have to sacrifice the things you love because of mobility issues.
From the strict standards we adhere to during manufacturing, to our superior stairlift servicing within your home, Acorn Stairlifts is hands-on throughout the entire process to ensure our customers are getting what they deserve—only the best.
Don’t miss out on giving your life a lift—Start enjoying freedom in your home and reclaiming your independence.
