Mobility scooters are, for all intents and purposes, safe. After all, they are built to ensure the safety of individuals who have difficulty walking or who are unable to get around at all. When a person uses a mobility scooter on a regular basis, they learn how to operate it properly so they can stay as safe as possible. But what happens when you rent a mobility scooter in Orlando for your vacation? Can you simply sit down on it and feel secure enough to ride it throughout the city, theme parks, and any restaurants you might like to visit?
When you’re renting a mobility scooter, you may need a little extra information to ensure you are safe and secure when riding it. Here are a few tips you should consider before you begin your vacation.
Safety When You Rent a Mobility Scooter in Orlando
- Visibility- Pay close attention to your surroundings whenever you are driving a mobility scooter. These handicap-accessible chairs ride low to the ground, and while they help you get from point A to point B, cars may find them difficult to see. By paying attention when you’re in a parking lot, on the street, or among a crowd of people, you can be sure you are as safe as possible.
- Terrain- Choosing a mobility scooter rental isn’t as simple as just picking out one that you think looks nice. You need to consider how it will be used. Are you planning on only using it around the hotel or when you visit restaurants? If so, you would be safe using a three-wheel scooter. If, however, you plan on going down a sidewalk, visiting a theme park, or rolling over the occasional patch of grass, you’re going to need a four-wheel scooter. They are much safer to ride on rough terrain and have the right support to prevent you from tipping over.
- Body-Positioning- To stay as safe as possible, always make sure all of your hands, feet, and limbs are fully contained within the space of the mobility scooter. If you have a weakened leg or arm that could drop to the side, use accessories like leg and foot huggers and arm support to keep them in place. This ensures you don’t get hurt while enjoying your time in Orlando.
- Essential Accessories- Do you need to carry your cane, walker, or oxygen canister with you while you go from place to place? Don’t carry these items in your lap; you may accidentally knock over fragile items, hit pedestrians as they pass by, or even have trouble getting through narrow doorways. Instead, purchase or rent special mobility aids that can help you carry these items safely.
- The Ride- In most areas, people on mobility scooters are considered to be pedestrians. What this means is you should be on the sidewalk, not the road. Unless there’s no way around it, always keep your scooter away from traffic on the sidewalk.
When you rent a mobility scooter in Orlando, you may not know what you need to in order to remain safe. Consider these tips and rent with confidence.