Introduction
A stairlift is straightforward to use once you know what to do, but there are a few things worth understanding properly - particularly around getting on and off safely, which is the part of the journey that requires the most care.
This guide covers correct technique for boarding and dismounting, how the controls work, what to do in common situations, and the safety features built into every modern stairlift.
Before You Get On: Check the Stairlift is Ready
Before sitting down, check three things:
- The seat is in the correct boarding position - swivelled to face the landing at the top, or facing away from the stairs at the bottom, depending on your model
- The footrest is folded down and clear of obstructions
- The stairlift is at your end of the stairs. If it is at the other end, use the remote control or the wall-mounted call button to bring it to you
Never try to pull or push the stairlift carriage manually when you need to board - always use the controls to bring it to you.
Getting On: The Correct Way to Board
At the bottom of the stairs:
- Stand in front of the seat with your back to it, as if sitting down in a chair
- Use the armrests to lower yourself into the seat in a controlled way
- Once seated, place your feet on the footrest
- Fasten the seatbelt - this is a lap belt and should sit across your thighs, not your stomach
- If the seat has a manual swivel, do not swivel until you are fully seated and secure
At the top of the stairs, the process is the same but in reverse. The stairlift will have delivered you with the seat already swivelled to face the landing. Unfasten the seatbelt, hold the armrests, and rise from the seat carefully. Do not stand until the seat has fully stopped and locked in the dismounting position.
Operating the Controls
Most stairlifts use one of two control types:
- Joystick: Push forward to travel up, pull back to travel down (or vice versa - always check the label during installation). The lift moves only while the joystick is held. Release it and the lift stops immediately.
- Paddle or rocker switch: Press one side for up, the other for down. Again, the lift moves only while the switch is held.
If you release the control at any point during the journey, the lift stops. This is a safety feature - it means you are always in control of whether the lift is moving.
Remote controls work in the same way and allow you to call the lift from the top or bottom of the stairs, or send it back to the other end after use.
Safety Features Built Into Your Stairlift
All modern UK stairlifts are built to EN 81-40 safety standards and include:
- Obstruction sensors: Sensors on the footrest and carriage automatically stop the lift if an object or person is in the path of travel. If the lift stops unexpectedly mid-journey, check whether something has triggered the sensor on the footrest.
- Limit switches: Stop the lift precisely at the top and bottom positions every time.
- Seatbelt: A lap belt that should be worn on every journey.
- Key switch: Many models include a key lock to prevent unauthorised use, particularly useful in homes with children.
- Battery backup: The lift continues to operate during a power cut.
Common Situations and What to Do
The lift stops mid-journey: Release the control, check whether the footrest has contacted something on the stairs. Clear any obstruction and try again. If the lift does not move after clearing the obstruction, check for an error code on the display and call your service provider.
The lift beeps continuously: This usually indicates a fault code rather than the normal pre-movement beep. Check the display for an error code and consult the manual.
Power cut: The lift will continue to operate normally from battery power. Park it at a charging position when you reach your destination so it is ready to recharge when power is restored.
Remote control does not work: Check whether the remote needs a new battery. Remote control batteries are ordinary AA or AAA cells and can be replaced without affecting the stairlift warranty.
Tips for Safe Daily Use
- Always fasten the seatbelt before travelling, even for a short journey
- Keep the stairs clear of objects, bags, and trailing cables that could obstruct the sensor or become caught in the carriage
- Never allow children to use the stairlift unsupervised, or to ride on the footrest or arms
- Park the lift at a charging position after each use so the battery remains charged
- Do not attempt to carry large or heavy items on the stairlift. If you need to move items between floors, send the stairlift up empty first, then travel yourself
Frequently Asked Questions
At the bottom, stand with your back to the seat and lower yourself onto it using the armrests, then fasten the seatbelt and place your feet on the footrest. At the top, wait until the seat has fully stopped and swivelled to face the landing before standing, using the armrests to rise in a controlled way.
Release the control and check whether the footrest obstruction sensor has been triggered - an object on the stairs is the most common cause. Clear the obstruction and try again. If the lift still does not move, check the display for an error code and call your service provider.
Yes. The seatbelt should be worn on every journey. It is a lap belt designed to sit across your thighs, not your stomach. It is a safety feature rather than a legal requirement, but using it every time is the recommended practice from all manufacturers and the BS EN 81-40 safety standard.
Most stairlifts can be fitted with a key lock to prevent unsupervised use by children. Children should only use a stairlift under adult supervision, should never ride on the footrest, and should not operate the controls unsupervised. Check the weight minimum for your specific model, as some have a minimum user weight below which the sensors may not function correctly.
Yes. Modern DC battery stairlifts continue to operate normally during a power cut, drawing from the onboard batteries. Most batteries hold enough charge for several days of normal use without mains recharging. Park the lift at a charging position after use so it recharges when the power returns.
Conclusion
Using a stairlift safely comes down to a handful of consistent habits: always fasten the seatbelt, keep the stairs clear, use the armrests when boarding and dismounting, and park at a charging position after use.
The safety systems built into modern stairlifts handle most situations automatically - obstruction sensors stop the lift if something is in the way, and the battery backup keeps it running in a power cut. The main thing you can do is use it correctly and report anything unusual to your service provider promptly rather than ignoring it.
Written by stair-lift-comparison · Content Team